Update: April 9 8:00 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus
Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Lamont this evening announced another Executive Order – Executive Order 7W.
Executive Order 7W suspends and modifies certain tax deadlines for people affected by the virus. It also modifies state laws surrounding the requirement employers be charged an “experience rating” so their unemployment premiums are not unduly increased because of the high number of claims caused by COVID-19, a concept is in line with a proposal House Republicans sent to the governor recently. Businesses should not be required to pay higher unemployment taxes if they’ve been forced to layoff workers because of the virus.
The Order also modifies coil cleaning requirements for bars and restaurants, suspends the signature requirement for alcohol purchases included with a food order as long as identification is provided, and waives the requirement that permittees notify DCP of business closures for sixty days or less if the closure is a result of Executive Order 7D. It also authorizes DCP to issue provisional permits and renew permits which would otherwise have been reviewed and approved by the Liquor Control Commission, extends the renewal date for on-premise liquor permits and eliminates the requirement that certain permits be recorded with town clerk if the clerk’s office is closed due to the virus.
During the press conference, for the first time, the governor reported hospitalization data that shows since March 10th 41% of those who were hospitalized with COVID-19 have been discharged, 10% have died and 49% are still in hospital.
And he announced that in a future Executive Order he will mandate schools remain closed until at least May 20, 2020, a month longer than originally ordered.
To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:
Executive Order 7W enacts the following:
- Suspension and modification of tax deadlines and collection efforts pursuant to Executive Order No. 7S, Section 6: Modifies Executive Order No. 7S, Section 6 regarding to maketax deferral and interest-rate reduction programs for eligible taxpayers, businesses, nonprofits, and residents who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic also apply to taxes and utility charges from quasi-municipal corporations. It also clarifies the time periods for which this applies.
- No increased experience rating based on COVID-19 unemployment claims: Modifies state laws surrounding the requirement for employers to be charged an “experience rating” so their unemployment premiums are not unduly increased because of the high number of claims caused by COVID-19.
- Coil cleaning requirements modified: Modifies state regulations so that bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries that normally sell beer or wine for on-premises consumption and remain closed for on premises consumption pursuant to Executive Order No. 7D are not required to clean beer or wine pipe lines on a weekly basis, unless growlers, crowlers, or cans for off-premise consumption are sold pursuant to Executive Orders No. 7G or 7T. Any premise that is not cleaning lines on a weekly basis will not be permitted to begin serving draught beer or wine after Executive Order No. 7D is lifted until a coil and line cleaning occurs.
- Delivery signature requirement suspended: Modifies state statutes so that consumers do not need to provide a signature for delivery or curb-side pickup of alcoholic beverages, provided that the seller verifies that the consumer receiving the alcoholic beverages is twenty-one or older and is not intoxicated.
- Return of permit not necessary for temporary closures pursuant to Executive Order No. 7D: Waives the requirement that businesses with certain permits that have closed for sixty days or less notify the Department of Consumer Protection of the closure, so long as the closure is the result of Executive Order No. 7D. It also waives the requirement that businesses return their permits to the state if the business is closed for more than 60 days if the closure is the result of Executive Order No. 7D, as long as it intends to open following the termination of the executive order.
- Ninety-day provisional permits: Modifies state statutes to authorize the commissioner of Consumer Protection to review and approve the issuance of provisional permits and their renewal, which would have otherwise been reviewed and approved by the Liquor Control Commission.
- Renewal date for on-premise liquor permits to be extended: Modifies state statutes to provide that all on-premise liquor permits in active status when Executive Order No. 7D went into effect on March 16, 2020 shall be extended by four months, including any business whose permit expired between March 16 and April 9.
- Permit need not be recorded with town clerk: Suspends state statutes and regulations in all towns where the town clerk’s office is closed or so reduced in hours that it makes it unreasonable to have permits recorded. Permits shall be recorded as soon as the relevant town clerk’s office is reopened and staffed for routine business.
To watch a video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG4TEx1aPvU
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-Coronavirus-Update-April-9
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-7W.pdf
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Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Cardona announce plans to extend the cancellation of classes at schools until at least May 20
Governor Lamont, in consultation with State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, today announced that he soon plans to sign an executive order extending the date for which classes at all public schools statewide remain canceled until at least May 20.
“Out of the best interests of the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff, we feel this is the best approach at this time,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ll continue consulting with our public health experts and education officials in the coming weeks as the situation continues to change. I want everyone to know that this is done out of an abundance of caution, and our education officials will continue to speak with school districts to help amplify their learn-from-home initiatives during this difficult time.”
The governor plans to sign the order in the coming days.
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Connecticut receives donation of hydroxychloroquine that will be distributed at hospitals statewide
The State of Connecticut has received a generous donation of hydroxychloroquine from Amneal Pharmaceuticals that will be distributed to acute care hospitals as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and work to ensure that critically ill patients have access to the medication. The Food and Drug Administration recently authorized emergency use of the medication to treat COVID-19 in certain hospitalized patients. Hydroxychloroquine is traditionally used to treat autoimmune disease such as lupus.
Approximately 400,000 tablets (4,000 bottles) of the 200mg hydroxychloroquine tablets have shipped and are starting to be received by hospitals. They went direct to medical facilities in order to ensure that patients have direct access to the medication and aims to limit hoarding and inappropriate use or prescribing. The donation was secured through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Drug Control Division with the collaboration of the Connecticut Hospital Association.
The medication was sent to hospitals in the statewide based on the total number of beds the for which each hospital is licensed. Additional allotments were sent to hospitals supporting or expected to support recovery centers. Hospitals, following the procedures set by the Drug Control Division, may move this medication to other hospitals should there be a need.
For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Consumer Protection.
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Financial assistance available for minority and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic
Minority and women-owned businesses with 20 or fewer employees can now apply for a zero-interest line of credit up to $20,000 to help them navigate the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 Business Response Program will be administered and underwritten by Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO). Companies can learn more about the program and apply for assistance by visiting HEDCO’s website.
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As of 5:00 p.m. tonight – Thursday, April 9th – the state has diagnosed a total of 9784 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 380.
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020
Total patients who tested positive: 9784
Fairfield County: 4882
Hartford County: 1471
Litchfield County: 315
Middlesex County: 205
New Haven County: 2183
New London County: 139
Tolland County: 145
Windham County: 52
Pending address validation: 392