Update: March 20 8:30 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus
Friends and Neighbors,
As the Coronavirus continues to move through the state, Governor Lamont today announced another Executive Order – Executive Order 7H – aimed at further limiting the spread of the virus by declaring policies to close all “non-essential” businesses from March 23 through April 22, 2020.
The executive order establishes a “safer-at-home” policy that orders the shutdown of all non-essential businesses in the state effective at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23nd.
The governor’s directive specifically states that his order DOES NOT close:
Essential health care operations, which includes: hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, elder care and home health care workers, companies and institutions involved in the research and development, manufacture, distribution, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies, health care data, consumer health products, medical devices, diagnostics, equipment, services and any other healthcare related supplies or services;
Essential infrastructure, which includes: utilities, wastewater and drinking water, telecommunications, airports and transportation infrastructure; manufacturing, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and industries supplying the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military;
Defense industrial bases, which include: aerospace, mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers, aircraft and weapon system mechanics and maintainers;
Essential retail, which includes: grocery stores and big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries; pharmacies, gas stations and convenience stores; food and beverage retailers (including liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees) and restaurants, provided they comply with previous and future executive orders issued during the existing declared public health and civil preparedness emergency;
Essential services, which include: trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing; mail and shipping services; news media; legal and accounting services; banks, insurance companies, check cashing services, and other financial institutions;
Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations, which includes: construction; vendors of essential services and goods necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses, including pest control and landscaping services;
Vendors that provide essential services or products, which includes: logistics and technology support, child care and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and the provision of goods, services or functions necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the public.
Information for Businesses
Federal and State laws are changing daily and it is impossible to provide a full breakdown of this order and how it will affect any specific business or industry.
The state Department of Labor (DOL) has an information and FAQ sheet located here: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF. Employers with specific questions should consult the agency (DOL) directly.
They can also be reached at: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ or by phone at: (860) 263-6000. Please note that their office is experiencing increased volume during this time and your patience is appreciated.
The mailing address is:
Connecticut Department of Labor
200 Folly Brook Boulevard
Wethersfield, CT
06109
The governor also updated the virus total on: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus
As of 3:30 p.m. tonight – Friday, March 20th – the state has diagnosed a total of 194 cases of Coronavirus.
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020
Total patients who tested positive: 194
Fairfield County: 122
Hartford County: 29
Litchfield County: 8
Middlesex County: 5
New Haven County: 23
New London County: 1
Tolland County: 4
Windham County: 2