Information for Businesses

Information about economic support and COVID-19 guidance for businesses can be found at the RI Commerce website or by calling 521-HELP (521-4357). 

Best Practice Business Recommendations

While Rhode Island has ended business restrictions, getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, watching your distance, and testing are still important tools to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Masking Guidance

RIDOH recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated still wear a mask indoors in public settings and outdoors in crowded places and during activities in close contact with other people who are not fully vaccinated.

Whether or not you’re fully vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask and physically distance if a business, organization, or other entity requires it. Some settings, such as healthcare and transportation, have more restrictive federal masking policies.

Signage Resources

COVID-19 Employee and Client Screening Tool

COVID19 Employee Screening Tool

English | Spanish

Please Continue to Wear a Mask

An image of "Please continue to wear a mask"

English | Spanish | Portuguese

Fully vaccinated? Not fully vaccinated?

An image of "Fully vaccinated? Not fully vaccinated?"

English | Spanish | Portuguese

A mask MUST be worn here at all times

An image of "A mask MUST be worn"

English | Spanish | Portuguese

On-site Business Testing Program

This program provides Rhode Island businesses with rapid COVID-19 test kits and the training they need so they can conduct regular testing of employees. The employer agrees to train its team, conduct the tests, and report results to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH.)

If you would like to discontinue COVID-19 testing in your workplace, please follow these out-processing procedures.

For more information about on-site business testing program, email [email protected]. 

Hear testimonials from employers already enrolled in the On-Site Business Testing Program.

Reporting Positive Cases to RIDOH

If your business has identified positive cases of COVID-19, please complete this RIDOH COVID-19 Business Report Form.

  • For uploading lists of multiple employees at once, use this form. 
  • This reporting protocol only applies to businesses with cases among employees, and excludes healthcare facilities and congregate care sites. 

Report positive cases as soon as possible so RIDOH may better assist you in preventing the rapid spread of illness in your workplace and in the community. Providing us with timely and accurate information is essential to preventing continued spread of this virus.

Returning to Work Information

If you have COVID-19, you can end isolation and return to work after these three things have happened:

  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared (20 days if you are immunocompromised*) and
  • You have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and
  • Your symptoms have improved.

If you tested positive but never had symptoms, you must isolate for 10 days from the date that you were tested (20 days if you are immunocompromised*).

Except for rare situations, after testing positive, you do not need to get another test for COVID-19 to end isolation.

RIDOH Letter Requests: Rhode Islanders who need to provide verification of their quarantine status, isolation status, or test results may request a letter by submitting this online form. Letters will be sent by email and are usually ready in 72 hours.  Instructions  Types of Letters  

Financial Support for Employees

Talk to your employees about any resources that may be available to them during COVID-19. 

  • Relief for Workers - If workers need to stay home because of COVID-19, there are resources for them. Do not have employees come into work if they are are sick. More
  • Rhode Island Commerce, Relief for Employees English | Spanish
  • Unemployment Insurance Fact Sheet English and Spanish | American Sign Language
  • Unemployment Insurance, COVID-19 Resources: Frequently Asked Questions English