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      South County Tourism Council Statement on Coronavirus

 

Media contact: Faye Pantazopoulos

South County Tourism Council

401-789-4422

fpantazopoulos@southcountyri.com

For immediate release: March 12, 2020, Charlestown, RI: South County Tourism Council (SCTC) – like many organizations across the country - is closely monitoring statements from the Rhode Island Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Travel, and the World Health Organization regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

While so far South County, Rhode Island has not had any confirmed or suspected cases of Coronavirus and the risk in our region remains low, we encourage our area tourism partners, residents, and visitors to take appropriate preventative measures. The federal government has not recommended limiting domestic travel. South County Tourism Council welcomes visitors from near and far to experience our peaceful, naturally beautiful destination.

“The health and well-being of our visitors and residents remains a top priority,” says Louise Bishop, President of SCTC, “and the council is monitoring the coronavirus situation. At the same time, we remain optimistic and are encouraged by the business we’re still seeing.”

Bishop has reached out to the council’s hotel partners who are following comprehensive COVID-19 compliance per state and federal guidelines, including hand sanitizer stations and frequent cleaning of high-touch areas. Hotels have also put procedures in place in case there is a suspected or confirmed case among guests or colleagues.

Please contact your hotel directly if you have a visit planned but are thinking of cancelling. If you have any questions, our office is here to help: 800-548-4662.

Here is specific information from the CDC regarding travel. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

For more detailed information, we recommend contacting the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO). For a downloadable flyer regarding Coronavirus information and prevention mechanisms, Click here for a printable fact sheet from the RI Department of Health.

What is South County Tourism Council doing in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat?

South County Tourism Council is supporting recommended measures on appropriate hygiene standards and following the guidance of the RI Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health authorities. As the CDC states there's an increase in the threat of COVID-19 in the United States, we encourage our area tourism partners, residents, and visitors to take any relevant preventative measures.

What is the risk of contracting Coronavirus (COVID-19) for visitors to South County, RI?

Specific information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the RI Department of Health website and CDC websites. The tourism industry takes our standards for hygiene and cleanliness seriously. We are encouraging everyone to follow the guidelines of the global and local health authorities and take appropriate health and safety measures.

What should be done if a visitor expresses concern that they may have contracted Coronavirus?

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact the hotline Governor Raimondo has set up (401-222-8022) and visit an emergency room, hospital, or urgent care center, to ensure proper protective measures are taken to prevent further risk of spread to others.

The South County Tourism Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich and Westerly as a single leisure travel destination known as “South County.” For more information, please visit www.southcountyri.com.