Phase III Event Guidelines in Rhode Island
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop. Here are some frequently asked questions to consider while planning your next live event.
How many guests may I host at my event in Phase III?
If you plan to host a special event without a licensed caterer, capacity is limited to 15 guests. With a licensed caterer, parties are allowed a capacity of 50 guests for an indoor event and 100 guests for an outdoor event.
What constitutes as licensed catering?
If a catering company is providing food with staff at a private venue such as a home, or if you are hosting your wedding or event at a venue that is providing the food and staff to serve it, under Rhode Island State Laws, this constitutes as licensed catering.
The venue has large doors and windows that can be opened during the event. Does this qualify as an outdoor venue?
Although air circulation is encouraged, indoor venues with this feature does not meet the requirement for an outdoor venue. A reception under a tent, however, would qualify as an outdoor venue.
The guidelines say I can have up to 50 people indoors, but my venue is telling me that I need to have fewer than that. Why?
50 is the maximum number allowed for an indoor social gathering, but the venue must still follow restaurant emergency regulations which requires at least 8 feet of space from table edge to table edge for social distancing purposes. The size of your venue may not allow for this distancing with 50 people in the room.
Are the staff included in the count of the number of people in attendance?
Staff (e.g. event planners and servers) are excluded from the event size limits.
Can an exception to the maximum capacity limits be made?
There are no exceptions permitted to the indoor social gathering limit of 50 people for catered events. If you wish to request an exception for an outdoor catered social gathering in excess of 100 persons, the event venue or caterer can submit an event specific COVID-19 Control Plan to DBR through the link on the www.dbr.ri.gov homepage for submitting event plans. The Event template can be downloaded from reopeningri.com. Remember - smaller events are safer events and are strongly encouraged at this time.
Do masks need to be worn?
Events should be planned to prevent mingling and congregating, to facilitate 6-foot physical distancing between individuals, and to require mask wearing at all times except when not dining, to the greatest extent possible.
Is dancing allowed?
Dancing is not permitted. The only exception is if the wedding couple want to have a 1st dance, or a mother/son, father/daughter “performance.” In these cases, ONLY the couple dancing is permitted on the dance floor. Guests and the wedding party must remain in their seats. You may still have a DJ or entertainment at your event.
Are cocktail hours permitted?
Venues must adhere to restaurant emergency regulations and there is no walk-up bar service allowed under any circumstances. All drinks must be delivered by waitstaff to guests seated at their assigned tables. Passed hors d’ oeuvres are not permitted at this time.. Your caterer may help navigate substitutions.
Can I have a buffet style dinner if the event staff serve the food from the buffet?
No. Under restaurant emergency regulations no buffet style service is allowed. All food must be delivered by waitstaff to guests seated at their assigned tables, i.e. a plated meal.
Are passed hors d’oeuvres or hors d’oeuvres or dessert tables permitted?
There are no passed hors d’ oeuvres or self-serve appetizer/dessert tables allowed. All food must be delivered to the individual tables by waitstaff and food must not travel from one table to another, even if being transported by staff. Wedding cake must also be served to seated guests by staff.
What will change when Phase IV begins?
These requirements pertain to events happening in August 2020. If your wedding date is beyond September 1st, it is possible the group size may change based on public health conditions. We recommend planning for a smaller event and making sure it follows the current group size. Smaller events are safer events..
Will dancing and cocktail hours/open bar be allowed in Phase IV?
Although it is not possible to predict what the future will bring, it is not likely that these restrictions will be lifted in the next Phase. Evidence shows that these activities are transmission hot spots and are likely to continue to be discouraged.
