Update: May 8 7:45 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus

Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Lamont this evening announced further guidance for reopening the state’s business community and additional funding for the business response program for minority and women-owned small businesses. He also announced that DRS will extend certain deadlines for the appellate division, and the state continues to distribute masks to companies with fewer than 50 employees.

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-8

Guidance for Phase 1 of reopening plans

During his news briefing this afternoon, Governor Lamont and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman outlined some of the details his administration is considering for Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans on May 20. Documents containing guidance for businesses about those plans are currently being finalized and are anticipated to be released later Friday evening or on Saturday. As soon as those documents are ready, they will be published online at ct.gov/coronavirus and publicly noticed so that businesses can have an opportunity to review the details.

Additional $3 million in funding available for COVID-19 Business Response Program

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has committed an additional $3 million to the COVID-19 Business Response Program, which provides financial relief to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The program, administered by the Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO), provides zero-interest lines of credit of up to $20,000 to small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Since the program was announced last month, HEDCO has received 607 applications and 137 small businesses have been approved for $1.6 million in assistance.

DECD, by increasing its financial commitment from $2 million to $5 million, will more than double the number of companies receiving financial support during this difficult time. HEDCO is no longer accepting applications for the program – the additional $3 million will be directed to applications previously received.

Department of Revenue Services extends deadlines for certain administrative protests and tax appeals

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services today announced that it is extending the deadline for filing certain protests with its appellate division by 90 days. The agency also issued guidance regarding the filing of tax appeals.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Revenue Services.

Face coverings remain available for essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees

The State of Connecticut is continuing to distribute free face coverings to essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees through a partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and its affiliate CONNSTEP. Eligible businesses include those defined as essential by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Eligible essential small businesses can request up to two free face coverings per employee by filling out the form at ctcovidresponse.org.

*****

DEEP: Campsite Closures Extended Through June 11

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced that the closure of DEEP campgrounds and campsites will be extended through June 11, with further extensions possible depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current reservations will be canceled and customers will be refunded in full.

DEEP is monitoring public health guidance and determining any operational changes that will be necessary to safely reopen camping.

More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/COVID-19-Updates-CT-State-Parks-and-Forests

*****

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The pandemic has forced many of us into different and sometimes difficult situations and many people are feeling overwhelmed. You are not alone. If you are struggling with your mental health please reach out to a professional.

To be connected with a mental health or crisis center, please call 2-1-1.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or online at: http://suicidehotlines.com/national.html

*****

As of 4:00 p.m. tonight – Friday, May 8^th – the state is reporting a total of 32411 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 2874.

*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 Friday, May 8, 2020

Total patients who tested positive: 32411

Fairfield County: 12879

Hartford County: 6904

Litchfield County: 1130

Middlesex County: 775

New Haven County: 8887

New London County: 755

Tolland County: 530

Windham County: 249

Pending address validation: 302