Update: May 9 6:15 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus

Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Lamont Releases Rules for Businesses Under First Phase of Connecticut’s Reopening Plans Amid COVID-19

Documents Describe Detailed Protocols Necessary for Certain Businesses to Operate Beginning May 20

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has released documents detailing specific rules that eligible businesses falling under phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans must follow amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase – which includes restaurants; offices; hair salons and barbershops; retail stores; and outdoor museums and zoos – is currently planned to take effect beginning May 20.

The governor stressed that the decision to reopen during this phase rests with each individual business owner – they are not required to open if they do not choose, however if they do they must follow the rules as prescribed. The protocols were developed by Governor Lamont, members of his office, and the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with legislators and recommendations made by the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group, which consists of several of the state’s leading medical experts and representatives of several business and industry groups.

Documents containing the rules for the first phase of reopening have been published on the state’s coronavirus website – ct.gov/coronavirus – and are available to download directly at these links:

• Hair Salons & Barbershops
• Museums and Zoos (Outdoor Only)
• Offices
• Restaurants (Outdoor Only)
• Retail & Malls

All businesses subject to these rules will be required to self-certify prior to opening on May 20. The certification system will be online beginning next week.

Task force formed to provide support to small businesses on these regulations

In tandem with the release of this guidance, DECD Commissioner David Lehman announced that his office is launching an ad hoc task force that will provide support to small businesses on how to implement these new regulations.

Commissioner Lehman said, “We are grateful to these organizations who represent the voices of our communities and our small businesses for agreeing to work with DECD and AdvanceCT in a team effort to provide the best possible guidance and support to our small businesses. We share the goal of helping businesses across the state to reopen as quickly as possible, while adopting these new and necessary measures to keep our communities safe.”

The Reopen Connecticut Small Business Implementation Task Force will be chaired by Lyle Wray of the Capitol Region Council of Governments. Other members will include:

• Cindy Bombard, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce
• Joe Brennan, Connecticut Business and Industry Association
• Nancy Cowser, seCTer
• Joe Ercolano, Small Business Development Center
• Cathy Graves, New Haven Small Business Academy
• David Griggs, MetroHartford Alliance
• Kim Hawkins, HEDCO
• Larry McHugh, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
• Patrick McMahon, CT Main Street
• Julio Mendoza, Spanish American Merchant Association
• Dan Onofrio, Bridgeport Regional Business Council
• Fran Pastore, Women’s Business Development Council
• Garrett Sheehan, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
• Tony Sheridan, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut
• Lynn Ward, Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce

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-Releases-Rules-for-Businesses-Under-First-Phase-of-Reopening-Plans

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Governor Lamont Congratulates Connecticut’s 2020 College Graduates

(HARTFORD, CT) – As graduates of Connecticut’s higher education institutions prepare to move onto the next phase of their lives without having the ability to attend in-person graduation ceremonies due to the fallout of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ned Lamont and several state and higher education officials are taking an opportunity to congratulate and offer their best wishes to those who are finishing their time in college.

Governor Lamont said, “I want to say congratulations – and extend my deepest gratitude to the class of 2020. These students are doing something that none of us alive have done before – graduating college during a global pandemic, and supporting their state in the process. I am incredibly proud of the work these students have done, and look forward to seeing more of their contributions to our great state, and our country.”

More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Congratulates-Connecticuts-2020-College-Graduates

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As of 4:00 p.m. tonight – Saturday, May 9^th – the state is reporting a total of 32984 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 2932.

*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 Saturday, May 9, 2020

Total patients who tested positive: 32984

Fairfield County: 13030

Hartford County: 7105

Litchfield County: 1142

Middlesex County: 789

New Haven County: 9091

New London County: 775

Tolland County: 540

Windham County: 266

Pending address validation: 246