First Selectman: Darien Has 40 COVID-19 Cases, Parks and Beaches Close Soon

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Stevenson State of the Town 2015

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson delivering her 2015 State of the Town address. (Photo by Jim Cameron)

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Darien parks and beaches will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 30 — or, more specifically, you won’t be able to drive and park your car at a town park or beach, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson announced in a message to town residents sent out early Sunday evening.

The closure is the result of more COVID-19 cases in town, Stevenson said in her “Code Red” message delivered to town residents who sign up for it. A total of 40 town residents have tested positive for the disease, and two of them have been hospitalized, she said.

  • CODE RED is a public alert system that sends voice and text messages to various devices. To sign up for Code Red notifications click here.

“While data is important, please remember at these numbers represent our family members, friends and loved ones,” Stevenson said.

She also said: “Governor Lamont has not yet ordered all Connecticut residents to quarantine but he strongly encourages everyone to stay home unless we need to attend to our basic needs. Taking walks, bike rides and enjoying other outdoor activities is encouraged as long as social distancing can be strictly observed.”

Stevenson: Do Your Part

Stevenson also said:

  • “It is critical that we distance ourselves by at least 6 feet from non-family members when we need to be out in the community and gatherings of more than five non-family members are strictly prohibited by order of the governor.
  • “We can do this, but we must do this together. We are all responsible for the health and safety of our community. Thank you for doing your part!”

Stevenson’s Sunday Night Announcement

Here’s the full text of her statement:

Good evening friends, this is your First Selectman, Jayme Stevenson with an important community update on the coronavirus situation here in Darien.

Our town and surrounding communities are experiencing a surge in positive COVID-19 cases.

As of 4 p.m. today, we have 40 positive cases in Darien. I’d like to break that number down for you.

Of the 40 cases, 19 are males and 21 are females. Ages range from 17 to 76. Consistent with statewide data, the greatest concentration of cases are between the ages of 40 and 60. Two of those cases have required hospitalization.

While data is important, please remember at these numbers represent our family members, friends and loved ones.

As a result of this case surge, I am ordering our parks and beaches to be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at sunset tomorrow, March 30. No parking will be allowed on on access roads around our parks and beaches and Darien police will be strictly enforcing these parking laws.

Due to the extensive community transmission of the virus occurring in the tri-state area, by order of the President, the Centers for Disease Control has issued a Non-Essential Travel Advisory for Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

This advisory will be administered by the governors, in consultation with the federal government. Only critical infrastructure business travel is exempt from this federal order. More details on the this travel advisory will be forthcoming and posted on the Town of Darien website.

Governor Lamont has not yet ordered all Connecticut residents to quarantine but he strongly encourages everyone to stay home unless we need to attend to our basic needs. Taking walks, bike rides and enjoying other outdoor activities is encouraged as long as social distancing can be strictly observed.

Anyone traveling into Darien from other states, particularly New York, are required to quarantine for 14 days to help protect our community.

It is critical that we distance ourselves by at least 6 feet from non-family members when we need to be out in the community and gatherings of more than five non-family members are strictly prohibited by order of the governor.

We can do this, but we must do this together. We are all responsible for the health and safety of our community. Thank you for doing your part!

Jayme J. Stevenson
First Selectman, Town of Darien

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