R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-9-12: Federal quarantine system superseding Providence regulations.

Whenever the United States of America shall put in force a system of national quarantine inspection for the port of Providence, the duties of the quarantine health officer and sentinel of that city shall be suspended for so long a period as the quarantine inspection shall be maintained, and whenever the United States shall establish a quarantine station, ground, or anchorage on or in the Providence River or Narragansett Bay, north of Conimicut Point, and put in force a complete system of national quarantine for the port of Providence, the provisions of §§ 23-9-1 — 23-9-11 shall not apply to the city of Providence or the port of Providence.