COVID-19 Updates

Stay Small, Stay Safe, Stay Inn

The Christopher Dodge House has always been committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. As Rhode Island and the City of Providence continue with Phase 3 of reopening, we want to make sure you feel comfortable about your stay at our bed and breakfast. Since we’re a small property, that means fewer guests, hence the phrase Stay Small, Stay Safe, Stay Inn!

Rhode Island state Governor Dan McKee announced in accordance with CDC guidelines as of May 18, 2021, those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks. To be considered fully vaccinated, you are two weeks past your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks past your one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Therefore, we have implemented the new mask policy. Please read on for further information.

Travelers Arriving in Rhode Island

Anyone coming to Rhode Island from a country outside of the US or within the US with a COVID-19 positivity rate greater than 5%, must quarantine for 10 days.

If you traveled from a hot spot (positivity rate greater than 5%) within the 50 states or DC, you can end quarantine with a negative result from a test taken after you arrived or no more than 72 hours before you arrived.

If you arrived from a hot spot within the 50 states or DC, you do not have to quarantine if:
– You’re traveling for work.
– You’re a public health, public safety, or healthcare worker.
-You’re traveling for medical treatment; to attend a court hearing; to attend a funeral or memorial services; to get necessities such as groceries, gas, or medication; to drop off or pick up children from care; or to work on a boat.
-If you traveled from a country outside the 50 states or DC, RIDOH recommends testing on day 5 of quarantine or later.

If you have a negative result, you may shorten your quarantine to 7 days.

As of January 26, the CDC requires all air passengers arriving in the United States from any foreign country to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

People visiting Rhode Island can find a place for asymptomatic testing here.

It might take several days to receive your test results. You must quarantine while waiting for a negative test result.

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and completed your isolation period, RIDOH recommends that you carry proof of your positive COVID-19 test result when you travel. The 90-day period starts on the day of symptom onset or the day of your positive test if you were asymptomatic (Day 0). You do not need a negative test result to return or travel to Rhode Island. You are also not required to retest or quarantine unless you begin to have or still have symptoms.

**As of April 29, 2021, the state of RI is no longer requiring a compliance form to be completed upon arrival.

Travel to Rhode Island after Vaccination
If you’re fully vaccinated (14 days after your final dose), you do not need to quarantine if:

You’ve gotten a final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, that is either FDA approved or received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), at least 14 days before your last exposure or out-of-state travel and
You haven’t had symptoms of COVID-19 since your last exposure or out-of-state travel.Vaccinated travelers are still encouraged to get a COVID-19 test between 5 and 10 days after out-of-state travel. Always watch for symptoms for a full 14 days after travel. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate at home and get tested.

Below are some of the new protocols that we have put in place,
to help put your mind at ease during your stay.

Check-in, Check-out, and Guest Expectations

Our check-in process will be in person while keeping a 3’ distance. If you would prefer a self-check-in, please let us know.

Guests will be given a socially distanced tour and brought to their room.

All guests who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to wear face coverings while inside common areas of the building at all times. (as of May 18, 2021)

Guests are responsible for maintaining 3 feet of social distance between other guests and staff members by all means possible.

Check-out will be contactless. Upon departing, we ask guests to leave the key in the doorknob of their room or the key basket on the office door. A receipt will be emailed to you.

Guests who are experiencing or have been exposed to another person with any symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 14 days should contact us to reschedule their stay for a later date.

Enhanced Housekeeping

We are using disinfectants and sanitizers approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization

Guest rooms will not receive daily housekeeping service unless requested. We are happy to provide you with fresh towels or other room amenities by request.

Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are provided throughout the property.

Weather permitting, we will leave windows open in between stays to increase airflow and sunshine.

We’ve increased the overall frequency of cleaning and sanitizing common areas.

Food & Beverage Service

Breakfast service will be offered from 7:30-9:30 AM during the week and 8:00-10 AM during the weekend. You will be asked to choose a seating time on the day of your check-in and for additional days of your stay.

We will be offering a hot breakfast option along with the continental.

Guest may enjoy their breakfast in either the dining room (tables are spaced accordingly), the sitting room, outdoor patio area (weather permitting), or of course, in their room. We do require masks to be worn in the dining room by all guests who are NOT fully vaccinated unless seated and actively eating.

All snacks and beverages are individually wrapped and served in a fashion that prevents unnecessary touching.

The use of our Keurig and hot water kettle are available for guest use 24 hours a day. We have provided disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer to be used before and after use.

A Healthy Workplace

Staff who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to wear face coverings at all times. Disposable gloves will be worn while handling food.

Staff is responsible for maintaining 3 feet of social distance between other staff members and guests by all means possible.

Continue to practice frequent hand washing and sanitizing especially when in contact with guests and their personal belongings.

Staff will monitor their own health and temperature checks.

Please visit the Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 information site for more details on Rhode Island travel.

Updated: May 18, 2021

Hospitality industry faces new challenge with travel restrictions

August 6, 2020 7:27 pm

Jordan Mazza

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Visitors to Rhode Island are now subject to new rules, and it’s adding to challenges for small businesses in the hospitality industry.

Monica Hopton has been an innkeeper at the Christopher Dodge House Bed and Breakfast in Providence for about 18 years.

She says this would normally be one of their peak times.

“Slammed,” Hopton said. “Busy, busy, busy. Six to seven days a week, busy.”

But without summer events and families moving students in for school, it’s looking quiet.

“Tonight I just have a couple rooms,” she said. “Unfortunately all the events they were scheduled to come to have been cancelled.”

And now, another challenge: the governor is requiring that overnight visitors to Rhode Island present a negative COVID test or quarantine for 14 days.

Hopton says it will likely discourage some visitors.

“Our business depends on people coming through and enjoying our state,” she said, “And if not, then we just have to wait it out.”

The governor says hotels can turn away guests who fail to comply, but Hopton doesn’t see that happening, because she tries to explain the rules over the phone first.

“We don’t have people unbeknownst just show up, and have to deal with that,” she said.

The innkeeper is optimistic that staying diligent about safety protocols will reduce the current spike enough to roll back some of the travel restrictions.

“This week we’re in the corona doghouse, but maybe next week it’ll change,” she said. “Pray that there’s a light, and there will be.”

Hopton adds they’re now offering live music performances at the Christopher Dodge House to help motivate potential guests to book a stay.

Christopher Dodge House