Update: May 18 10:30 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus
Posted on May 19, 2020
Friends and Neighbors,
In press releases and during his nightly press briefing, Governor Lamont announced Executive Order 7PP.
He also announced the Reopen CT Advisory Group will hold a roundtable discussion tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to ask questions via email at: reopen@ct.gov
Governor Lamont rolled back his earlier decision regarding hair salons and barbershops and removed them from Phase 1 of the reopening plan scheduled to begin on Wednesday. He said they would be allowed to open in June.
To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:
More information and the governor’s full press release can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Coronavirus-Update-May-18
Executive Order No. 7PP enacts the following provisions:
- Reopening Phase 1: Repeals several previously enacted executive orders to allow for the safe reopening of certain sectors of the economy on May 20, including for the reopening of outdoor dining, offices, retail and malls, museums and zoos, and outdoor recreation businesses.
- Enforcement of sector rules governing the reopening of businesses: Modifies certain statues and regulations to permit the enforcement of sector rules as certain businesses reopen on May 20, including for local and district health directors and municipal chief executive officers
- Extension of prohibition on large gatherings to June 20, 2020: Extends the prohibition of large gatherings in Executive Order Nos. 7D and 7N through June 20, 2020.
- Extension of restrictions on off-track betting, indoor fitness, and movie theaters to June 20
- Further clarification of limits on restaurants, bars, and private clubs – mixed drinks permitted for takeout delivery: Allows for the sale of mixed drinks for takeout and delivery by various liquor permittees under certain conditions.
- Limitation on the operation of day camps: Prohibits day camps, which were not already operating as of May 5, 2020, from beginning operations for the season until June 22, 2020.
- Enhanced health procedures for all day camps: Requires day camps to comply with the limitations on child group sizes and enhanced health procedure requirements placed on child care programs by Executive Order No. 7Q, and by orders of the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood.
- Cancellation of resident camp operations: Prohibits the operation of resident camps for the duration of the civil preparedness and public health emergency.
- Limitation on the operation of summer and educational programs operated by local or regional boards of education: Prohibits summer school programs from beginning prior to July 6, 2020, unless earlier extended, modified, or terminated by the governor. The commissioner of the Department of Education is required to issue guidance on the limited operation of summer school programs that are permitted to engage in-person classes after that date.
- Suspension or modification of regulatory requirements to protect public health and safety: Permits the commissioner of the Department of Education to temporarily waive, modify, or suspend any regulatory requirements as he deems necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public health.
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State releases online guide to support the reopening of small businesses
Governor Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has released an online guide to help small businesses comply with COVID-19 safety guidance and manage the broader reopening process. The Small Business Reopening Resource Guide can be accessed by visiting the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus and clicking the “Business” section, or accessed directly by clicking here.
It includes valuable information in the following areas:
- Financial Needs: The guide provides a comprehensive list of financing resources and advisory partners at both the state and federal levels to help small business secure the financial support they need to manage reopening challenges.
- Employee Training & Support: Employers need to provide a safe operating environment for employees and customers. The guide helps companies identify general and industry-specific training, and helps answer questions like who should be trained and what kind of training they need.
- Physical Layout: Mandatory social distancing may mean that businesses need to alter their facilities or how they conduct business to maintain safety for employees and customers. The guide offers suggestions to help small business maintain their operations while applying new standards for health and safety.
- Geographic List of Suppliers: Businesses will need protective equipment and other new supplies. The guide includes a list of suppliers of masks, face shields, gloves, as well as cleaning supplies and other needed resources.
The guide will continue to be updates as new information develops. A Spanish-language version is in development and will soon be available.
Businesses reminded to verify insurance coverage during reopening
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais and Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman are reminding business owners of the importance of checking to make sure their insurance coverage accurately reflects any changed circumstances as they moved to comply with the state’s reopening plans.
The Insurance Department is strongly encouraging businesses or residents who have questions or concerns regarding their insurance coverage during the phased reopening of businesses to reach out to their insurance agent, broker, or carrier.
Consumers, insurers, and brokers who have questions can contact the Insurance Department directly through email at insurance@ct.gov, through the department’s website, or through telephone at 1-800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.
For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.
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Governor Lamont Announces Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group to Hold Community Roundtable Tuesday at 2PM
Members of the Public Encouraged to Submit Questions Related to the Impact of COVID-19 on Their Communities
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group’s community committee will hold a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. regarding how best to balance health and economic outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for those who are among the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Members of the public who have questions for the panel can email their inquiries to reopen@ct.gov. The discussion will be broadcast live by the Connecticut Network (CT-N) and available to watch on its cable television channel and through a live stream on CT-N.com.
Some of the members of the advisory group’s community committee who are anticipated to participate in this roundtable include:
- Marie Allen, Executive Director of the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging and Independent Living
- Ken Alleyne, Vice Chair of the Connecticut Health Foundation
- Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Nora Duncan, State Director of Connecticut AARP
- Mike Freda, First Selectman of North Haven
- Marcella Nunez Smith, Director of Equity Research and Innovation at the Yale School of Medicine
- Rochelle Palache, Assistant District Leader for SEIU, Local 32BJ
- Jordan Scheff, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Disability Services
- Daria Smith, Executive Director of the Connecticut State Independent Living Council
Last week, members of the advisory group’s business committee and education committee each held similar roundtable discussions regarding the issues they are responsible for reviewing.
The Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group is a panel of local health, business, workforce, and education experts who are consulting with the Lamont administration and legislative leadership on the reopening of Connecticut’s economy and education system as the nation emerges from the unprecedented public health emergency caused by COVID-19. The group is providing Governor Lamont with recommendations, which the governor is using to inform his decisions on the reopening of the state.
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Governor Lamont and Governor Raimondo to Align Hair Salon and Barber Shop Reopenings in Early June
(HARTFORD, CT) – As their administrations continue developing strategies for the safe reopening of sectors of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Governor Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island today announced their intention to align the reopening of hair salons and barbershops in their respective states in early June.
Hair salons and barbershops were initially included in Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopen plan, which begins May 20, however Governor Lamont said that after having extensive discussions with owners and employees of these businesses he feels that it is in everyone’s best interests to provide for some additional preparation time and also align the state with its regional partners.
Governor Lamont said, “We’ve been hearing a lot of feedback from many owners and employees, and at this time I think the best approach is that we hit pause on the reopening of hair salons and barbershops, take a step back, and allow some more time as preparations continue to be made.”
Governor Raimondo said, “I know how hard this crisis has been on close-contact businesses like hair salons and barbershops, and we’re working around the clock to get you back to work quickly and safely. We look forward to continuing to coordinate with our regional partners are we work toward reopening these businesses in early June.”
More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-and-Governor-Raimondo-to-Align-Hair-Salon-and-Barber-Shop-Reopenings-in-Early-June
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Governor Lamont Releases Dental Guidance Agreed Upon by Working Group of Dentists, Hygienists, and Assistants
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today released the guidance document that was developed through a collaborative working group organized by his administration and provides best practices for dentist offices that are considering expanding their operations beyond emergency care in the coming days.
During the pandemic, dentist offices have been considered an essential business by the Lamont administration and were never ordered to close, however following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental offices were strongly advised to temporarily limit their practices to urgent and emergency dental care. As several other sectors of the economy begin preparations to reopen on May 20, some dental practices in the state indicated their intention to resume elective services on that date, and dental hygienists and assistants contacted the Lamont administration asking for more guidance.
To help address those concerns, Governor Lamont directed leadership at the Connecticut Department of Public Health to convene a working group of dental professionals representing dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dentists. The group recently met through video conferencing over a five-day period, and reached a consensus on the final guidance document.
“Having representatives from each of these groups collaboratively develop these protocols was an important step forward so that all of their concerns could be heard and addressed,” Governor Lamont said. “The success of this effort is owed to each member’s extensive and continuous hard work, commitment to professionalism, advocacy for their constituencies, and common goal of protecting the health and safety of the dental workforce and patients. Our group of professionals at the Department of Public Health have been incredibly thorough and thoughtful during this pandemic, and this is yet another example of their incredible hard work on behalf of the residents of our state.”
Representatives on the working group included:
- Christian D. Andresen, MPH, CPH: Section Chief, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations, Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Anne Marie DeLessio-Matta, DMD: Pediatric Dental Associates of Southbury; President-Elect, Connecticut State Dental Association
- Sheila Fontanella, DA: Practicing Dental Assistant
- Peter S. Katz, DMD: Chairman, Connecticut State Dental Commission
- Tam Le, DMD: President, Connecticut State Dental Association
- Jennifer Mancini, RDH: Practicing Licensed Dental Hygienist
- Marion C. Manski, RDH, MS: Director, Fones School of Dental Hygiene; Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences, University of Bridgeport Health Sciences Center
- Marie R. Paulis, RDH, MSDH: Assistant Professor and Dental Hygiene Program Director, School of Health Sciences, University of New Haven
- Melissa Sipos, RDH: Practicing Licensed Dental Hygienist
- Thomas St. Louis, MSPH: Occupational Health Program Supervisor, Connecticut Department of Public Health
More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Releases-Dental-Guidance
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Wednesday, May 20th marks the governor’s first phase for non-essential businesses to reopen in the state. The reopening guidelines specify that restaurants, museums and zoos, offices and certain retail locations, including malls, can begin to reopen with some restrictions.
The decision to reopen remains with the individual business, however, if they choose to open they must abide by published guidelines.
DECD requires businesses self-certify before opening on May 20
The Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Sector Rules and Certification for May 20th Reopen includes a Self-Certification Process for businesses that plan to open on that date.
According to the DECD website, “… all businesses subject to these guidelines are required to self-certify prior to opening May 20th. The certification system can be accessed here.”
When the process is complete, businesses will be provided with signage and a badge that can be voluntarily posted at the place of business or on their website.
The application is available here: Certification Online Application
More information is available on the DECD website.
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As of 4:00 p.m. tonight – Monday, May 18th – the state is reporting a total of 38116 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 3449.
*For public health surveillance, COVID-19-associated deaths include persons who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death (confirmed) and persons whose death certificate lists COVID-19 disease as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death (probable).
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020
Total patients who tested positive: 38116
Fairfield County: 14436
Hartford County: 8957
Litchfield County: 1280
Middlesex County: 936
New Haven County: 10338
New London County: 876
Tolland County: 735
Windham County: 322
Pending address validation: 236