Update: April 10 6:00 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus

Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Lamont today announced Executive Order 7X.

This new Order contains provisions to protect residential property renters, including measures to temporarily delay evictions, grant grace periods of up to 60 days for April and May rent payments, and allow tenants to use part of their security deposit as partial rent payment for April, May or June in some circumstances.

The Order also extends school closures and other mandatory closure and social distancing orders through at least May 20, 2020. Restaurants, bars and business establishments will continue to operate under the current restrictions. Gyms, hair and nail salons and places of recreation and public amusement will remain closed.

To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:

Executive Order No. 7X – includes a provision taking the following actions to protect residential renters during the public health crisis:

• All landlords are prohibited from issuing a notice to quit or beginning eviction proceedings before July 1, 2020, except for serious nuisance, such as physically harming another tenant or the landlord.
• For rent due in April 2020, landlords must grant tenants an automatic, 60-day grace period for payment, instead of the existing 9-day grace period.
• For rent due in May 2020, landlords must grant a 60-day grace period for payment upon the request of tenants. Under this provision, a tenant must to notify the landlord that they have lost a job, lost hours, or otherwise lost revenue or faced significant increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• If a tenant has a paid security deposit of more than one month’s rent, the tenant can apply all or part of that excess to April, May, or June rent. Under this provision, the tenant must notify the landlord that they have lost a job, lost hours, or otherwise lost revenue or faced significant increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extension of all previously enacted closures and safety measures through May 20

Also under today’s executive order, the deadlines for all closure, distancing, and safety measures enacted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 that are contained within previously enacted executive orders are extended through at least May 20. This applies to the following provisions:

• Executive Order No. 7D, Section 2, imposing limits on restaurant, bar, and private club operations
• Executive Order No. 7D, Section 3, closing on-site operations at off-track betting facilities
• Executive Order No. 7D, Section 4, closing operations at gyms, sports, fitness, and recreation facilities and movie theaters
• Executive Order No. 7F, Section 1, closing large shopping malls
• Executive Order No. 7F, Section 2, closing places of public amusement
• Executive Order No. 7H, Section 1, imposing safety and distancing measures for workplaces and non-essential businesses
• Executive Order No. 7N, Section 1, prohibiting social and recreational gatherings of more than five people
• Executive Order No. 7N, Section 3, restricting retail operations

Food trucks permitted to operate at certain rest areas to provide meals to truck drivers and other essential workers

In addition, today’s executive order lifts restrictions on commercial activity in Connecticut highway rest areas and permits food trucks to set up in these locations with the goal of feeding hungry truckers and other essential workers during the pandemic. The directive comes in the wake of recently rescinded federal prohibitions against the commercialization of rest areas nationwide, freeing the states to provide additional necessities.

Governor Lamont reiterated his directive that everyone should “Stay Safe, Stay Home” and restrict themselves to essential travel only. Truck drivers, he said, have no choice but to be out on the road making critical deliveries and pick-ups.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) maintains seven rest areas on Interstates 84, 91, and 95. They are open 24/7, year round. They have food and beverage vending machines and restrooms, but no other travel services. They are distinct from the service plazas on I-95, 91, 395, and Route 15, which have gasoline, restaurants, convenience stores, and other amenities. The rest areas accepting food trucks are located in Danbury on I-84; Wallingford and Middletown on I-91; and North Stonington on I-95.

Food truck operators interested in participating will need to receive approval from CTDOT by filling out a permit application and emailing it to CTDOTCOVID@ct.gov. Operators must have a state-issued Department of Public Health permit to prepare and serve food. Spaces for the food trucks will be marked off at each of the rest areas, and signage will be included strongly encouraging social distancing.

To watch a video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrkQG4aiBeI

The governor’s full press release can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/04-2020/Governor-Lamont-Signs-Executive-Order-Providing-Residential-Rent-Protections

The governor’s Executive Order can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Executive-Orders/Lamont-Executive-Orders/Executive-Order-No-7X.pdf

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As of 5:00 p.m. tonight – Friday, April 10th – the state has diagnosed a total of 10538 cases of Coronavirus. Updated virus totals and Town-by-Town statistics can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is 448.

Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut

Updated 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020

Total patients who tested positive: 10538

Fairfield County: 5180

Hartford County: 1615

Litchfield County: 346

Middlesex County: 240

New Haven County: 2383

New London County: 156

Tolland County: 152

Windham County: 59

Pending address validation: 407