RI Gov. Gina Raimondo says she will begin reopening the state's economy this week, and that she expects hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 to peak next week or in the first week in May.

Garden supply stores and garden departments of larger stores will be allowed to open as soon as the State has issued new social-distancing guidelines for these establishments, possibly as early as next Monday 27 April.

After that, Raimondo said, the rest of the economy will be opened "industry by industry, and in phases."

Raimondo signed last week an executive order requiring all employees working with customers, in offices, in manufacturing or in those non-profits still operating to wear fabric face coverings, and to encourage customers to do the same. State officials will be doing spot-checks of businesses for compliance.

No schedule for reopening of RI lodging establishments or dining and drinking places has yet been announced. Stay tuned for that.