July 9, 2020

“Phase Three” Reopening Delayed

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Below are a few updates from the governor’s office and other agencies: Governor Lamont delays “Phase Three” reopening plans; Fall School Reopen Plan webinar to be held tomorrow; more states added to travel advisory; update on contact tracing; and the Paycheck Protection Program has been extended.

REMINDER: Several extended tax filing deadlines are next Wednesday, July 15.

As always, decisions on these matters are made by the governor, state departments, and state agencies under the Connecticut’s executive branch. The legislature is expected to be called in for special session in the coming weeks. I will provide an update on that when I receive more information.

Governor Delays “Phase Three” Reopening

Governor Lamont has postponed Connecticut’s “Phase Three” reopening, originally scheduled for July 20, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in other states. This means indoor dining and gyms will remain at 50 percent capacity, bars will remain closed, and private gatherings may not exceed 25 people for indoor events or 100 people for outdoor events. Campgrounds were still permitted to open today as planned, and outdoor graduation ceremonies with no more than 150 people may proceed as well.

Read the full CT Post article: Click Here

Fall School Reopen Plan Webinar – TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Connecticut Department of Education will be hosting a live moderated webinar to discuss the official fall school reopen plan, Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together. The webinar will include an overview of the plan by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Miguel Cardona, for the benefit of district leaders, parents, students, teachers, political partners, and educational stakeholders.

The webinar will be live streamed for member’s of the public: Click Here

Updated Travel Advisory

Individuals traveling to Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York from the following 19 states are strongly urged to self-quarantine for 14-days due to significant community spread of COVID-19: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Read the latest about the state’s travel advisory: Click Here

Contact Tracing

The administration continues to stress masks, social distancing, hygiene, testing, and is ramping up contact tracing efforts to minimize further spread of COVID-19. If you see “CT COVID TRACE” appear on your phone, it is an official communication from the state alerting you that someone you may have been in contact with has tested positive for COVID-19. The governor is encouraging individuals who receive this message to respond.

Read more about this initiative: Click Here

Paycheck Protection Program Extended

The federal government has extended the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) until August 8, 2020, and has resumed accepting applications. As a reminder, these loans carry a one percent interest rate and a two year maturity if provided before June 5, 2020, and a five year maturity if provided after June 5, 2020. Payments may be deferred for six months. Loans are forgivable provided the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. At least 60 percent of the forgivable amount must be used for payroll expenses.