By WPRO News and The Associated Press 

Rhode Island has banned large gatherings and ordered restaurants and bars to end dine-in service.

Gov. Gina Raimondo said Monday that residents shouldn’t attend gatherings of 25 people or more.

She also said restaurants, bars and other food establishments will be limited to take-out, drive-through or delivery only effective Tuesday through March 30.

The head of Rhode Island’s Catholic Church, meanwhile, halted Mass services until further notice, and Providence’s mayor has ordered the city’s popular downtown Providence Place Mall to close.

State health official say the total number of coronavirus cases in Rhode Island has risen to 21.

Late on Monday Gov. Raimondo announced the closing of the State House to public tours, and the closing of Department of Motor Vehicles satellite offices. She said most functions can be accomplished online, but for those that cannot, the DMV headquarters in Cranston will be open by appointment only.

Dr. Alexander-Scott said that in the coming days, the state expects to set up a system to be able to expand testing for coronavirus.