Relief for restaurants and bars that are subject to early-closing order

Division to issue grants of up to $10,000 to help make up for loss of business

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced a relief program for
restaurants, bars, and other such businesses that have been ordered to close earlier than usual
because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Using federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, the
Governor authorized the payment of grants to these impacted businesses.

Under the program, the Rhode Island Department of Revenue’s Division of Taxation will provide grants
to bars and restaurants adversely impacted by COVID-19.

Each such grant will range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $10,000.

Governor Raimondo developed the relief program to coincide with her Executive Order that will
mandate early shutdown for bars and restaurants: Effective on Sunday, November 8, 2020, all
restaurants, bars, and certain other facilities must end service at 10:00 p.m. on weeknights and 10:30
p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. (Restaurants may stay open after the new closing hours for take-out
and drive-in only.)

The new provisions involving closing hours will remain in effect for two weeks, she said. They are part
of a range of measures aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus and reducing the rising number
of coronavirus cases. “We’re not alone. Cases are spiking all over the world,” Governor Raimondo
said.

The relief program is a recognition that “businesses are really struggling, particularly our smallest
businesses,” and that the hospitality industry in particular “has been hit hardest all over the world,” she
said.

The relief program will be paid for through federal funds that have been made available to the states
for pandemic relief. The Division of Taxation will soon post an application form that the affected
businesses must complete in order to apply for a grant, and will post other details on its website, www.tax.ri.gov.