Essential Businesses and Gov. Lamont’s Executive Order

Here is the latest update on Gov. Lamont’s decision to close “non-essential” businesses as a strategy to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The governor’s order goes into effect Monday, March 23rd at 8:00 p.m. The Department of Economic & Community Development officials released official guidance designed to give business owners, their employees, and residents a better understanding of what is deemed “essential.”

Click here to view the document.

I wanted to remind you that critical businesses such as GROCERY STORES, PHARMACIES, and FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WILL REMAIN OPEN.

Other examples of business that will also remain open include:

• Healthcare
• Infrastructure
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Food and Agriculture
• Services Industry
• Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations
• Construction
• Services needed to maintain the safety, sanitation an essential operations of all residences and other buildings
• Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and tech support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of gov’t agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public
• Defense

For the full list, click here.

**Important note for businesses who are deemed non-essential**

Any other business may be deemed essential after requesting an opinion from DECD, which shall review and grant such request, should it determine that it is in the best interest of the state to have the workforce continue at full capacity to properly respond to this emergency

To request designation as an essential business, click here.

For additional general information that both employers and employees may find helpful can click here.

Just as a reminder, the state continues to maintain a web portal with the most up-to-date information and statistics on COVID-19, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document that is updated regularly.

If you would like to speak with me directly, please feel free to call me at (800) 842-1423 or email me at Doug.Dubitsky@housegop.ct.gov.

You can also follow my legislative activity by visiting my website at https://www.cthousegop.com/dubitsky/, or follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doug.dubitsky