Portsmouth declares state of emergency over COVID-19

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth declared a state of emergency Monday, March 16, due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19, and activated the town’s disaster emergency plan.

The Town Council scheduled a special emergency session at 6 p.m. at Town Hall to formally approve the declaration.

The order would take effect immediately and remain through April 1.

Under the order, signed by Town Council President Kevin Aguiar, Emergency Management Director Raymond Perry will be directed to activate the town’s emergency operations center and all necessary town emergency response plans, policies, compacts and agreements. That includes the creation and establishment of mobile support units and to activate and deploy disaster response teams and workers.

All town departments, agencies or quasi-municipal agencies and boards and commissions performing executive functions will cooperate with the Portsmouth Emergency Management Agency (EMA) in all matters concerning the order. 

During the state of emergency, all entertainment licenses and special event permits, whether for nightclubs, concerts, live music or other events, are hereby revoked. The town will not be issuing any entertainment licenses or special event permits during this time.

Bars and restaurants in Portsmouth will discontinue dine-in service effective Tuesday, March 17, but may continue offering takeout service. 

(An earlier version of this story quoted the town's original declaration, which allowed bars and restaurants in Portsmouth to remain open, but limited occupancy to 100 people. That declaration was written before Gov. Gina Raimondo’s order Monday morning that banned dine-in services at Rhode Island restaurants, bars and cafes — but allowed takeout service — through March 30. The declaration was revised and re-posted after the governor’s order.)

All residents and establishments are directed not to host or attend gatherings of 25 people or more.

Town officials are being directed to cancel all non-essential officials municipal meetings, limit the travel of town employees and postpone all public events during the state of emergency. 

All town officers and departments may operate on a modified schedule and may restrict in-person business activities.

The council president may from time to time issue additional directives, orders, and recommendations as circumstances require.