A spokesperson for Gov. Dan McKee’s office confirmed the state of Rhode Island has ordered unhoused people camping at the State House to vacate the grounds within 48 hours.
Unhoused individuals who have been camping on the Smith Street side of the State House were given written notice on Wednesday to leave the grounds by Friday morning at 9 a.m.
McKee’s office says it will attempt to connect the individuals to a bed and transportation to a shelter.
"If we can provide shelter and the individual wants it, that's the best case scenario," McKee told NBC 10 News.
The individuals are also being offered boxes to hold their belongings for 30 days, according to McKee’s office.
Many at the encampment are worried about what's to come while others are not keen on leaving.
"People from the State House came out and said you guys gotta leave by Friday," said Raymond Bell, who has lived in a tent outside the State House for three months.
Bell got the letter informing them to vacate the property by Friday morning. The letter says that camping or sleeping overnight at the State House is prohibited.
Advocates are voicing concerns over bed availability and the timeframe.
"You might be able to get some people inside, but I keep coming back to we have close to 500 people living outside [across Rhode Island]. I don't have 500 beds," said Caitlin Frumerie, the executive director for the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness.
"You have 48 hours to do something, but ask me how long it took them to find a safe spot where nobody would tear there tent up?" added homeless advocate Ruth "Diamond" Madsen.
The Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union confirmed to NBC 10 News it is looking into Wednesday's events at the State House.
Some state workers have turned to the NBC 10 I-Team to voice their concerns about seeing needles near the encampment. A 24/7 warming station is being set up at the Cranston Street Armory.
A state police presence was seen at the capitol on Wednesday, stopping additional tents from setting up.
Michael Nugent told NBC 10 News he's live in a tent for 24 weeks -- protesting the homelessness crisis and more.
"I'm protesting the treatment of people by the government, hitting every issue I can think of," Nugent said.
Nugent said he plans to stay at the encampment come Friday morning.
McKee's spokesperson said a few at the encampment chose to leave on Wednesday, heading to shelters across the state.
NBC 10's Cal Dymowski and Brian Crandall contributed to this report.