LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: May 18 to 24

This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Confirmed COVID-19 cases in lower Fairfield County || Governor’s Sunday briefing || Governor’s Saturday briefing ||Mystic Pizza gets first state permit to use state roadway space for outdoor dining || Governor’s Friday COVID-19 briefing || It’s complicated: Flags at half-staff nationwide till sunset Sunday and, in Connecticut, till noon Monday || Governor’s Thursday COVID-19 briefing || Darien drive-thru testing closed Monday (Memorial Day) open again the following Friday || CVS opens new COVID-19 clinics, including two in Stamford, one in Fairfield || First Selectman Jayme Stevenson’s CodeRed message 

See also:

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5

SUNDAY State Statistics on COVID-19 Cases in Lower Fairfield County

Sunday, May 10 — As of 8:30 p.m., Saturday (and reported publicly by the state on Sunday), 203 Darienites were identified with COVID-19, five more than the 198 reported by the state a week ago, on Sunday, May 17, according to information released by state authorities. (Reminders: Many people are thought to have the COVID-19 virus who aren’t identified; the state says “all figures are preliminary and subject to change.”)

Here’s the number of identified cases in nearby communities, according to the state government Web page for this day’s Coronavirus statistics:

Stamford — 3,072 cases (52 more than the  3,020 reported on Sunday, May 17)
Norwalk — 1,964 (78 more than the 1,886 reported on Sunday, May 17)
New Canaan — 166 (three more than the 163 reported on Sunday, May 17)
Greenwich — 777 (26 more than the 751 reported on Sunday, May 17)
Westport — 284 (17 more than the 267 reported Sunday, May 17)
Wilton — 202 (two more than the 200 reported Sunday, May 17)
Weston — 62 (no new cases — no change from the 62 reported Sunday, May 17)
Ridgefield — 206 (11 more than the 195 reported on Sunday, May 17)
Fairfield — 564 (37 more than the 527 reported on Sunday, May 17)
Bridgeport — 3,199 (368 more than the 2,831 reported on Sunday, May 17)

TEN WORST HIT CONNECTICUT MUNICIPALITIES (with total cases):  1. Bridgeport (3,199), 2. Stamford (3,072), 3. New Haven (2,327), 4. Hartford (2,104),  5. Norwalk (1,964), 6. Waterbury (1,808), 7. Danbury (1,682) 8. West Haven (1,013), 9. Hamden (909), 10. New Britain (893).

SUNDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Sunday, May 24 —Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 4 p.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

SATURDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Saturday, May 23 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

First Permit to a Restaurant to Use State Roadway  Space for Dining Goes to Mystic Pizza

Saturday, May 23 — Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has approved a permit for Mystic Pizza to use a state highway right-of-way to add outdoor dining as the restaurant makes efforts to comply with the requirements of phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The restaurant, located at 56 West Main Street in Mystic, is the first business to be issued a permit of this kind from the state. It was approved to add tables in the front of the building near the doorways and on the sidewalk.

• Yes, THAT Mystic Pizza

Phase 1 of the reopening plans began on May 20 and permits restaurants, which previously were required to limit their sales to take-out and delivery services only, to expand their operations to outdoor dining while also following a series of sector rules.

To help businesses that do not have outdoor space available, Governor Lamont signed an executive order last week (Executive Order No. 7MM) that initiates the creation of an expedited process to allow restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses to use sidewalks or other areas that are in the state’s right-of-way.

“We want to do our best to partner with businesses to make any adjustments we can to help commercial operations resume while also maintaining the necessary health standards that will keep customers and employees protected,” Lamont said. “This is going to require some creative modifications that we’ve never had to do before, but working together we can find solutions to many of these obstacles.”

“We all share the goal of reopening Connecticut safely and strategically,” Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said.

“With Governor Lamont’s leadership, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is ready, willing and able to partner with local businesses, municipalities, and the Federal Highway Administration to safely move our economy forward, while we continue to keep our sidewalks and roadways safe across Connecticut.”

The executive order also creates an expedited process for municipal governments to make similar adjustments on their end. The governor said that he is pleased to hear reports of several towns and cities that are taking advantage of the executive order and are working with area businesses to expand their outdoor operations.

FRIDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Friday, May 22 —As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 4 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities

The following documents contain updated data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This data is updated on a weekly basis.

Connecticut Department of Social Services announces children enrolled in school meals program will soon receive additional, emergency SNAP benefits

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) today announced that because of the cancellation of in-person, pre-K to grade 12 classes at all schools in the state for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, the families of approximately 265,631 public school students and 1,748 private school students who participate in the free or reduced-price meals program will soon receive additional, emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals while learning from home during the pandemic.

Initially, when schools were slated to reopen on May 20, the state received federal approval to provide $71.3 million in EBT benefits. That amount, however, increased to $97.5 million when the decision was made to cancel in-person classes for the remainder of the academic year. The emergency SNAP funding for children who participate in the free or reduced-price meals program was authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

DSS estimates that it will issue approximately $34.5 million in additional food benefits to about 70,000 SNAP-eligible households and $63 million in food benefits to about 80,800 households not currently enrolled in SNAP. DSS is partnering with the Connecticut State Department of Education on the plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Specifically:

• Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits will be deposited in the EBT accounts of about 70,000 households currently enrolled in SNAP on or about Sunday, May 24. An additional 800 households enrolled in the Temporary Family Assistance Program, but not currently enrolled in SNAP, will also receive Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits in their EBT accounts at that time.
• DSS will mail EBT debit cards to about 80,000 households not currently enrolled in SNAP and will deposit Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits into their new EBT accounts on Sunday, June 7, for Medicaid-enrolled households and on Sunday, June 21, for all other households. These are households that do not currently have EBT cards because they are not enrolled in SNAP or cash assistance.

Benefits can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards. This includes famers’ markets and direct market farms. Pandemic EBT participants will also have online access to eligible food purchases through delivery or curbside pickup when it is implemented in the overall SNAP program.

Families do not need to apply for Pandemic EBT benefits, as children are automatically eligible because in-person classes are not in session. The planned one-time benefit is $364.80 per child enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program.

Connecticut farmers impacted by COVID-19 eligible for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding

Governor Lamont, Congressman Joe Courtney, and state Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt are encouraging Connecticut farmers and producers who have been impacted by COVID-19 to sign up and receive financial assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which was authorized by Congress through the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The program, which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief nationwide, is available for producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market costs. Eligible commodities include: non-specialty crops, wool, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and mushrooms). USDA will consider additional crops to be eligible for the program by collecting information on potentially eligible crops, including aquaculture, nursery, and cut flowers.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications beginning May 26. While offices are open by phone appointment only, the department will be working with agricultural producers by phone and using email and online tools to process applications. For additional program details, including eligibility, applications, a payment calculator, and a list of locations of the nearest FSA offices, visit www.farmers.gov/cfap.

“This federal assistance is crucial for Connecticut’s farmers to continue their operations and maintain our state’s vibrant agricultural diversity,” Governor Lamont said. “Throughout all of the market disruptions, producers have continued planting, growing, and caring for their animals in order to meet the needs of consumers for fresh, local food.”

“This update from Secretary Perdue couldn’t have come soon enough for our dairy and commodity crop farmers in eastern Connecticut,” Congressman Courtney said. “Before we passed the CARES Act, we made sure it included a way for our farmers to receive direct support, straight into their pockets. Now, farmers can finally start preparing to apply on May 26 for the funding we authorized specifically to help them offset the steep price declines we’ve seen due to COVID-19. My colleagues and I on the Congressional Dairy Caucus are working to authorize more resources to help all of our farmers through this crisis, and we’re not letting our foot off the gas to press the USDA to expand these new direct payments to producers in the nursery and aquaculture sectors. We’ve got a wide variety of nursery growers and shellfish farmers in eastern Connecticut, and I am continuing to pursue that assistance for them as aggressively as possible. Right now, I encourage our farmers to sign up as soon as possible to take advantage of direct payments through this new program.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how fragile our food system is,” Commissioner Hurlburt said. “We all know how important food is, but now many people understand how important it is to have a robust, local food system for people to access. These payments will support our farmers at a critical time and provide the funds necessary to stabilize our food supply chain. For residents who are interested in supporting local farms, please visit www.CTGrownMap.com to find farms in your area.”

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Connecticut Department of Labor awarded $2.33 million federal grant to create disaster relief jobs, employment and training services

The Connecticut Department of Labor has been awarded a $2.33 million federal grant to create temporary disaster relief jobs for dislocated workers and other eligible individuals, along with employment training services and any necessary supports. The Disaster Recovery National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant was awarded to assist the state as it continues to respond to the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

State Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said that the grant will be used to address critical needs resulting from the public health emergency that has impacted every part of the state, including the unprecedented surge in unemployed individuals, the public health crisis straining health care infrastructure, and the increased demand for workers in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance jobs.

“A wide range of Connecticut employers, including private-sector businesses, community-based organizations, and municipalities will have the opportunity to leverage the funding to fill and create a variety of temporary disaster relief jobs that support efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis,” Commissioner Westby said. “These jobs will provide re-employment opportunities and will help stimulate Connecticut’s economic recovery.”

The agency expects the disaster relief jobs to fall into three job categories: cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting public facilities; delivering medicine food, or other supplies to quarantined individuals and vulnerable populations; and health care support jobs to assist with sick and vulnerable individuals.

The Connecticut Department of Labor will partner with the state’s five regional workforce development boards and their employer partners to implement these programs. The five boards are Capital Workforce Partners, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, The WorkPlace, and Workforce Alliance.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

All Right, This Is Complicated: Flags Ordered to Half Staff Nationwide Until Sunset on Sunday, THEN in CT Till Noon Monday for COVID-19 Victims

Friday, May 22 — The Governor’s Office confusingly announced: that while flags will be at half-staff nationwide until sunset on Sunday, in Connecticut they’ll be at half-staff on Monday, too, until 12 noon.

Here’s the first, for some reason separate, announcement:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that President Donald J. Trump has signed a proclamation directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide beginning immediately until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020, as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags —including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise — should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

Here’s the governor’s second, oddly-separate announcement, emailed a minute after the first:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be flown at half-staff on Monday, May 25, 2020, from sunrise until noon in observation of Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who have died while serving the United States Armed Forces.

As is customary and unique for this holiday, flags are lowered throughout the duration of the morning and then raised to full-staff promptly at noon for the remainder of the day.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

In addition, Lamont announced that the state will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven — informally known among residents as the Q Bridge — in red, white, and blue lights each night this holiday weekend beginning on the evening of Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25.

Multicolored beacons capable of projecting light nearly six miles into the clear night sky will beam from sunset until the early morning hours. The bridge carries I-95 over the Quinnipiac River and is maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

“Our nation’s service members put their lives on the line in order to protect the freedoms and liberties that make this country the greatest in the world, and we honor and pay tribute to each of the fallen heroes” Lamont said.

“Enlisting in the military is an incredibly selfless act, and the members of our Armed Forces risk so much in their duties. Our hearts are with every military family who has lost a loved one. They will forever have our respect and gratitude, and we will always honor their service.”

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said:

“This weekend, we honor and pay tribute to all of our fallen heroes who never left the battlefields. Our state and country owe a great debt to the heroic men and women who served to hold our flag high.

“It’s because of their ultimate sacrifice that we all have the freedom to speak out, to choose our leaders, and the right to religious freedom. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, thank you to all of our military personnel for the sacrifices you have made for our country.”

THURSDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Thursday, May 21 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 45^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 45^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7RR enacts the following provisions:

• Authority for DEEP to issue rental refunds: Authorizes the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to reimburse funds that were collected from rent paid by any person for use of state park property, including for camping or any special event.
• Modification of age limit for early intervention coverage: Requires health insurance policies to continue providing coverage for birth to three programs after a child’s third birthday in the event that school closures may delay a child’s transition to other services for older children.
• Waiver of requirement for guest books at private clubs: Waives the statutory requirement that private clubs maintain guest books to reduce shared points of contact.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7RR

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles extends expiring credential deadlines to 180 Days

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that as the state continues responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, its previously enacted 90-day extension for Connecticut residents with expiring credentials is being extended to a total of 180 days. Eligible DMV credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 are automatically covered by this extension.

In addition to extending the expiration date of DMV credentials, late fees associated with eligible expired credentials will be waived during the time period of the extension for qualifying credentials.

Deadlines have been extended for the following DMV-related items:

• All Licenses, Permits and Identification Cards: Lengthens the credential extension to 180 days for credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
• All Registrations Including International Registration Plan (IRP) and Boat Registrations: For credentials expiring between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, credentials will be extended by 180 days from the expiration date.
• Emissions Testing and Retesting: For test due dates that fall between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the due date will be extended by 180 days from the emissions expiration date.
• Permanent Disability Placard: Any permanent disability placard that expires at the same time as a credential that is subject to a 180-day extension, will be extended by 180 days.
• Business Licenses: For credentials expiring between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, credentials will be extended by 180 days from the expiration date.
• Temporary Registrations: Temporary registrations obtained after March 10, 2020 are extended by 180 days.
• Temporary (Paper) Licenses: Expiration dates will be extended by 180 days for all temporary (paper) licenses obtained after March 10, 2020.
• Flashing Light Permits: Expiration dates between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 are extended by 180 days.
• New Residents: For any person who moved to Connecticut after March 10, 2020, the deadline for obtaining a license, registration, or emissions inspection in Connecticut will be extended by 180 days.
• Suspension Related Matters: Suspensions that take effect between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 will be delayed by 180 days as a result of failure to attend an Operator Retraining or Child Safety Seat Program, or nonpayment of fees due to a returned check or rejected payment.
• VIN Verification: Waived until September 10, 2020.
• School Bus Proficiency Tests: Extends the validity of school bus proficiency tests that are due between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 by 180 days.
• Ignition Interlock Devices: Waives violations and penalties associated with failing to meet 30-day recalibration of ignition interlock devices until September 10, 2020.

For updates and more information about the DMV credential extensions, visit CTDMV.info. For questions, residents can call 860-263-5700 or 1-800-842-8222.

Connecticut Department of Social Services preparing online access to food with SNAP benefits

The Connecticut Department of Social Services is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the state’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) vendor, and participating food retailers to implement SNAP online purchasing in Connecticut.

Federal approval of the state’s plan was received May 20, and system testing is scheduled to be completed on May 29. The beginning of online food purchasing is tentatively scheduled for June 2. When activated, enrollees will be able to use SNAP benefits on their EBT card to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup at participating food retailers.

Participating food retailers to start are Amazon, including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh; 12 Walmart stores (click here for list); and Wakefern Food Corp., which has 22 participating ShopRite stores in state (click here for list).

Based on successful system testing, online SNAP access is currently scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 2, with all participating outlets online by June 3.  A full schedule and contact points will be announced closer to June 2.

To read the federal approval announcement, click here. For more information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Connecticut, visit www.ct.gov/snap.

Connecticut Department of Labor notifying more than 75,000 individuals about potential eligibility for extended unemployment benefits

Leadership at the Connecticut Department of Labor today announced that the agency is planning to mail instruction letters this Friday to approximately 77,000 individuals in the state who have been identified as potentially eligible to apply for 13 weeks of emergency extended unemployment benefits.

Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said that the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) included an extension of the 26 weeks of regular state unemployment insurance to 39 weeks through the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. PEUC could be retroactive to March 29, 2020 and will be in effect through December 26, 2020. Weekly PEUC benefits are based on wage history using the same formula for determining state unemployment insurance benefit amounts. It also includes the additional $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit.

The notifications will include instructions on steps that potentially eligible claimants will need to follow to receive the emergency extended benefits.

For more information on this announcement, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

Darien Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Closed on Memorial Day

Thursday, May 21 — “Darien’s COVID-19 testing site will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. Testing will resume on Friday, May 29,” the town government announced Thursday.

CVS Opens New COVID-19 Testing Clinics, Including Two in Stamford

Thursday, May 21 — CVS is opening two COVID-19 testing clinics in Stamford and another in Fairfield among 13 new clinics the pharmacy chain has coming to Connecticut. This is on top of the 12 clinics CVS opened earlier.

The CVS website says: “Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment.”

CVS doesn’t appear to have a news release about this online, but here’s the announcement issued Thursday by the Governor’s Office, which has more details:

Gov. Ned Lamont is applauding an announcement made today by CVS Health that the company is opening 13 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in Connecticut.

These test sites, which are set to open on Friday, May 22, 2020, come in addition to the 12 locations the company previously opened in the state on May 15.

“CVS Health has been a significant partner in Connecticut’s efforts to increase COVID-19 testing, and I appreciate their willingness to work with our administration on expanding these locations so that we can make testing more accessible and convenient for our residents, particularly within the hardest hit communities,” Lamont said.

The Testing Process

These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment.

Upon arriving for their appointment, patients must stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window, where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions.

A CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days.

List of Sites

The 13 new CVS Health test sites in Connecticut that will open on Friday, May 22, include:

• CVS Pharmacy, 81 North Street, Bristol
• CVS Pharmacy, 292 Spielman Highway, Burlington
• CVS Pharmacy, 47 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury
• CVS Pharmacy, 16 Main Street, East Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 15 Chesterfield Road, East Lyme
• CVS Pharmacy, 1770 Kings Highway, Fairfield
• CVS Pharmacy, 1657 Route 12, Gales Ferry
• CVS Pharmacy, 690 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 57 Providence Pike, Putnam
• CVS Pharmacy, 229 Hope Street, Stamford
• CVS Pharmacy, 1938 West Main Street, Stamford
• CVS Pharmacy, 2005 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville
• CVS Pharmacy, 355 Campbell Avenue, West Haven

The 12 previously announced CVS Health test sites that opened on May 15 include:

• CVS Pharmacy, 7 Durant Avenue, Bethel
• CVS Pharmacy, 905 South Main Street, Cheshire
• CVS Pharmacy, 3514 Main Street, Coventry
• CVS Pharmacy, 54 East High Street, East Hampton
• CVS Pharmacy, 875 Enfield Street, Enfield
• CVS Pharmacy, 2639 Main Street, Glastonbury
• CVS Pharmacy, 1057 Boston Post Road, Guilford
• CVS Pharmacy, 479 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 150 Washington Street, Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 323 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill
• CVS Pharmacy, 525 Buckland Street, South Windsor
• CVS Pharmacy, 1 Hawley Lane, Stratford

For additional information from CVS Health, visit www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.

First Selectman’s Monday Night CodeRed Message to the Town

Wednesday, May 20 — On Tuesday night, Jayme Stevenson sent out this telephone message to town residents on Darien’s CodeRed alert system:

Good evening, this is First Selectman, Jayme Stevenson with an important COVID-19 update.

On Monday, May 16, Gov. Lamont shared that Connecticut has met all 7 criteria necessary for beginning to re-open our state’s businesses. Tomorrow, May 20, marks the eagerly anticipated beginning of the ReOpen Connecticut for downtown merchants, restaurants and offices. We are thrilled to welcome back our merchants who are prepared and feel safe enough to reopen.

The ReOpen CT Task Force has laid out rules of operation and self-certifications for each industry sector. If a business cannot meet the certification requirements, they may not open until all guidelines have been met.

All businesses opening to the public tomorrow my operate at only 50% of normal capacity. Restaurants may begin operating with outside service only and all businesses will require the use of hand sanitizer and the wearing of masks by both customers and employees. Physical distancing measures will be implemented and enforced.

Unfortunately, hair salons and barbershops will not be opening as planned but may open in early June.

Tomorrow’s Phase 1 of reopening is a small step in our pandemic recovery. However, we must all be mindful that it’s up to each of us to follow the guidelines so everyone will be safe from the spread of the virus. Anyone who is sick must stay home and we recommend that people over 65 or who have medical vulnerabilities should also stay home and stay safe.

We anticipate and welcome more foot traffic in our downtown but everyone, kids included, must keep a mask handy to put on if distancing cannot be guaranteed. This is the best way to ensure the safety of our friends, community members and our shop employees.

This Memorial Day won’t be the same here in Darien without our traditional parade but flags will be placed on our Veterans’ graves in remembrance of their ultimate sacrifice. Let’s also take time this Memorial Day to honor the sacrifices of our modern day hero’s — our healthcare workers, EMS, police, firefighters, our teachers, and grocery and pharmacy workers who have kept us safe and supported during this difficult time.

Stay safe everyone and remember that it’s up to each of us to take care of one another.

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you.

Darien Restaurants Serving Outside, Businesses Get Masks

Wednesday, May 20 — From First Selectman Jayme Stevenson’s Facebook account: Some peeks at reopening downtown, including outdoor dining. Masks were also distributed to businesses:

WEDNESDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Wednesday, May 20 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 44^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 44^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7QQ enacts the following provisions:

• Modifications to permit the use of absentee ballots to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during August 11, 2020 primary
• Clarification that orders by commissioners issued pursuant to the governor’s executive orders are not regulations

Connecticut Department of Public Health reports findings of deficiency in infection control in nursing homes

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today posted online findings of deficiency in 20 additional nursing homes. The findings relate to infection control and were made following focused infection control surveys of all 213 nursing homes in Connecticut that were conducted in partnership with the Connecticut National Guard and inspectors from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These involved unannounced, in-person visits to nursing homes and have also resulted in enhanced staff training and additional deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE). A key infection control procedure cited in four of the deficiency findings is cohorting, which refers to housing or grouping together nursing home residents tested positive for COVID-19 (or any other infectious disease) in order to slow down the spread of a viral infection.

There were two deficiency findings for improper notification inside the facility and to families, three findings based on improper physical distancing between residents, four findings of various other infection control problems, and 11 findings related to improper use or cleaning of PPE.

By law, the facilities have time to review and potentially dispute the findings of deficiency, and must come up with a plan of corrective action that is approved by DPH. Once the plans of correction are approved, the findings can be posted online. Since visitation to any skilled nursing facility has been banned during the course of the pandemic, DPH has posted these findings publicly online through Connecticut’s e-license website.

To view the recent findings of deficiency and corrective plans of action for individual nursing homes, search the e-license website for nursing home inspection documents that were filed between April 1, 2020 and the current date.

State establishes enforcement protocols for safe reopening

The State of Connecticut has established new enforcement protocols to ensure businesses follow the Sector Rules for May 20^th Reopen designed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Enforcement will be done by local health officials, local law enforcement, and municipalities. These agencies have the authority to inspect businesses for compliance with public health and the reopen sector rules established to protect businesses, employees, and residents from spreading or contracting COVID-19.

In most instances, a first violation will result in a warning and education by local law enforcement. In instances of a second or more egregious violation, law enforcement will refer complaint to the local public health department or chief elected official designee. The local public health department and chief elected official’s designee may order business closure.

Residents and employees who want to report noncompliance should contact local law enforcement or use the online complaint form at ct.gov/coronavirus. Those who do not have internet access can call 2-1-1 and an operator will fill out the form on their behalf. After submitting the form, users will receive a customized response pertinent to the complaint, including contact information for local law enforcement, local public health, CONN-OSHA, or OSHA.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection outlines state park operations plan heading into summer season

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today released an operation plan that outlines current guidelines around the operation and use of Connecticut state park grounds, trails, beaches, boat launches, and other areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resource – available at portal.ct.gov/deep-parkscovid19 – provides a “one stop shop” for the latest information on outdoor recreation offerings administered by DEEP.

As the state begins a phased reopening of its economy, the vast majority of state parks remain open, as they have been throughout the pandemic. The restrictions that they’ve been operating under, such as daily capacity limits, social distancing guidelines for visitors, and use of face coverings, also remain in place.

For more information, read the press release issued today by DEEP.

Connecticut insurance commissioner approves expansion of free life insurance coverage for frontline health care workers from MassMutual

Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais today announced that additional frontline health care workers and volunteers in Connecticut are now eligible to receive up to $25,000 of free term life insurance. The Connecticut Insurance Department has expedited approval of the expansion of HealthBridge, a new Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) life insurance product that offers free guaranteed issue policies to frontline health care workers and eligible volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. MassMutual has committed to providing $3 billion of insurance coverage through HealthBridge to these deserving and resilient individuals.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

All Voters Can Use an Absentee Ballot in the Aug 11 Primary

Wednesday, May 20 — Gov, Ned Lamont today announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he has signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in Connecticut to vote absentee in the August 11, 2020 primary elections.

Current state law authorizes the use of an absentee ballot for six reasons, including a voter’s active service in the Armed Forces; absence from town during all of the hours of voting; own illness; religious beliefs; duties as an election official; and physical disability.

Lamont said that as the highly contagious virus continues to spread and nearly 3,500 people in the state who have contracted the disease have died within the last two months, it is critical that state government make reasonable adjustments that reflect the current state of emergency while ensuring that the democratic process continues safely and securely.

“Nobody should need to make a decision between their health and their right to vote,” Lamont said. “Our state has taken every responsible step to this point to ensure that our residents are safe, and the next step we must take is to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 when Connecticut residents cast their ballots. We must guarantee access to the ballot, and this is a way to do that during these extraordinary circumstances. I do not take this decision lightly, and it is with the public health and welfare of residents in mind.”

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has announced that she intends to mail every registered voter in the state an application they will need to fill out and return in order to obtain an absentee ballot.

That application, which will be sent via U.S. Postal Service, will include a postage paid return envelope. After processing the applications at the local level, all voters who requested an absentee ballot will receive the ballots in the mail, which will also include a postage paid return envelope.

Each town will also have a secure dropbox in a prominent location to allow voters to deliver their absentee ballots in person without close personal contact.

Connecticut’s 2020 presidential primary was initially scheduled to be held on April 28, but to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, Governor Lamont signed executive orders rescheduling it, first to June 2 and then to August 11, the same date that the state was already scheduled to hold primaries for other federal, state, and local offices.

Moving the presidential primary to this date enables the primary for president to appear on the same ballot as those for other offices, and eliminates the need for the state to hold two separate primary elections.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7QQ

What You Will & Won’t Be Able To Do in CT Now That Some  COVID-19 Restrictions Are Lifted

Wednesday, May 20 — From the Hartford Courant on Tuesday.

No Norwalk Oyster Festival This September

Wednesday, May 20 — An announcement from the Norwalk Seaport Association:

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Norwalk Seaport Association (NSA) is canceling the 43^rd annual Norwalk Oyster Festival, previously scheduled for Sept. 11 to 13, 2020.

Prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved, the decision comes after careful deliberation between the NSA Board of Trustees, and Festival Exhibitors.

“We are disappointed that we’re unable to hold this highly anticipated event,” said NSA President Mike Reilly.  “But, based on the information we have today, we know it’s the right decision to make.”

With that said, Reilly continued:

“The Norwalk Oyster Festival raises more than $100,000 that contributes to the maintenance and restoration of the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse and to support our educational programs. Without this festival taking place in 2020, we will be facing a challenging year. We are hoping for the continued support of all the friends of the Seaport and the Norwalk Oyster Festival to help us continue with our mission.”

“From Seaport leadership and regional partners like the long time event sponsor, First County Bank, to the artists, performers, vendors and volunteers who work so tirelessly to stage the Norwalk Oyster Festival each year,” Mike said, “We thank everyone for standing with us in making this difficult call. We are counting the days to restaging the festival and celebrating our maritime heritage together again in 2021.”

The NSA team is exploring options to coordinate an online experience or a smaller event to showcase this historic, beloved event — one of the most popular in Connecticut and the Northeast. In the interim, we urge everyone to follow federal, state, and local COVID-19 mitigation advice.

To keep updated on our planned activities, please follow our Facebook page,
email us at info@seaport.org or visit us at www.seaport.org

TUESDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Tuesday, May 19 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week.

All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Connecticut insurance commissioner reminds that all insureds are eligible for no-cost COVID-19 testing and treatment

Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais is reminding all insureds in the state that all out-of-pocket costs for testing and treatment of COVID-19 have been removed.

“Our insurance industry here in Connecticut has answered the call and responded to help protect those most affected by our current crisis,” Mais said. “Thanks to recent changes in federal law, employer-based plan sponsors are required to follow suit and remove all cost sharing for testing and treatment for their workers and their families.”

Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford also praised the state’s insurance carriers and noted that public health coverage is also available to Connecticut residents who qualify.

“In the regular Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, together known as HUSKY Health in Connecticut, we are fully covering COVID-19 testing and treatment without any cost-sharing,” Gifford said.

“In addition, HUSKY Health is now covering COVID-19 testing for uninsured Connecticut residents who are U.S. citizens or have a qualifying immigration status, regardless of income; and covering COVID-19 testing for residents without a qualifying immigration status if they meet HUSKY income requirements and have COVID-19 symptoms.”

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Insurance Department.

Middlesex Parents Association Donates to Community Fund of Darien, Post 53 for Relief During COVID-19

Tuesday, May 19 — An announcement from the Middlesex Parents Association newsletter:

The MPA Executive Board believes it is important that we give back to our community during this pandemic and so last week the MPA Executive Board unanimously voted to make donations of $1,000 to the Darien Community Fund of Darien’s “Touch-A-Life” fund and $500 to Post 53 from our MPA reserves. We hope that these donations will help members of our community most in need over the next few months.

The Community Fund of Darien’s “Touch-A-Life” fund, in cooperation with Darien’s Department of Human Services has been supporting Darien residents with urgent financial needs since 2005.

Now more than ever, many of our town’s residents are in need of assistance with rent, utilities, medical expenses, transportation costs and groceries, and this number is growing exponentially during the current health crisis.

To find out more about the Touch-a-Life Fund for Darien or to make a donation please follow this link.

Post 53 relies on donations to provide its emergency medical services and pre-hospital care to our community. Now more than ever they are a vital frontline resource for our town. For more information about Post 53 or to make your own donation please use the following link: Post 53.

Also from the MPA newsletter:

YWCA Parent Awareness wanted to share this important resource to all parents in the Darien Community:

The State of Connecticut has a new helpline for parents/caregivers experiencing stress/frustration. Call the Talk It Out Line, 833-258-5011. Available in English and Spanish, 8 a.m. to 8.p.m. Monday through Friday and 8am-1pm Saturdays. Or visit talkitout.com.

Gov Lamont Directive: Flags Return to Full Staff as of Tuesday Evening

Tuesday, May 19 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to return to full-staff at sunset on the evening of Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

Flags have been flying at half-staff in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19.

Barrett Bookstore to Delay Reopening Until June 1

Tuesday, May 19 — A message to customers from Sheila Daly, owner of Barrett Bookstore:

Dear Customers,

Since we closed our doors on March 22, we have been looking forward to welcoming you back into the store. That it was only two months ago seems incredible; so much has changed that we once so blithely took for granted.

Many stores will be opening tomorrow, May 20, pursuant to Governor Lamont’s guide lines for “Reopen Connecticut.” We have decided to delay fully reopening the bookstore until Monday, June 1st.

After much thought , we decided that we needed some more time to make the store as safe as possible for you and for our staff. We have yet to receive some of the precautionary fixtures we ordered over a month ago, such as plexiglass screens, floor stands for hand sanitizing stations, etc. We hope to receive them next week and create a secure environment for everyone.

In the meantime, we will continue to be on call, with extended hours. We will be here from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help your with book orders, recommendations and any other questions; and our “pick-up station” at the rear of the store will also be open until 4 p.m. We will also continue to provide free home delivery to Darien and Rowayton.

I am grateful beyond words to all of you who have been so supportive and patient during this time. Your book orders and gift cards have kept us going under very challenging circumstances. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Stay well,

Sheila Daley

Aquarion to Owners of Shutdown Buildings Now Reopening: Flush Your Water Systems

Tuesday, May 19 — An announcement from Aquarion:

Aquarion Water Company reminds business owners who have closed their buildings during the pandemic to flush their building’s water systems prior to returning to normal use of their tap water.

After an extended period of non-use, potable water can become stagnant.  By flushing internal and external systems, fresh water is drawn into the customer’s building from Aquarion’s water mains. Fresh water is constantly flowing throughout Aquarion’s water distribution system.

• SEE ALSO: “After Coronavirus, Office Workers Might Face Unexpected Health Threats” (New York Times, May 20)

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has developed return to service guidance for internal building water systems. DPH’s introductory guidance is as follows:

“This guidance document is intended for building water systems which have not been utilized for a prolonged period of time resulting in stagnation of potable water. Stagnation of potable water in building plumbing may cause changes in temperature, lost of chlorine residual, biofilm/Legionella growth, biofilm disruption, and plumbing corrosion resulting in discolored water, odor, lead and/or copper release, and disinfection byproduct formation.

“If not properly managed, stagnant potable water could pose a health risk. Further, mechanical equipment such as cooling towers, boilers and pumps may not have received any routine maintenance and backflow preventers may have missed annual test cycles.

“Therefore, the Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends the owners of building water systems that have not been used for a prolonged period of time follow the following protocols before the building is reopened for use and occupancy.

“Flushing you building water lines includes flushing interior and exterior faucets, showers, water and ice dispensers, and water treatment units, as well as any other building water lines.

“Prior to any flushing, the building owner should contact the public water system that supplies water to the building to ensure a coordinated effort. Additionally, to maintain high quality water in a building at all times, building owners and operators should implement a water management program (WMP) that follows industry recommendations, such as ASHRAE 188 (2018) or similar to continually reduce the risk of infections due to water quality degradation.

“It is important to note that each building is different so flushing may need to be tailored accordingly.”

The complete DPH guidance document is available at www.aquarionwater.com/customer-care/covid-19 or www.ct.gov/dph.  Additional guidance is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html.

Business customers with additional flushing questions can contact Aquarion Customer Service at 1-800-732-9678.

Warning About New Contract Tracing Scam: Federal Trade Commission

Tuesday, May 19 — This announcement, a post on the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Information blog, was published Tuesday morning:

By Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about contact tracing. It’s the process of identifying people who have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, instructing them to quarantine and monitoring their symptoms daily.

Contact tracers are usually hired by a state’s department of public health. They work with an infected person to get the names and phone numbers for everyone that infected person came in close contact with while the possibly infectious.

Those names and phone numbers are often kept in an online system. People who had contact with someone infected with COVID-19 may first get a text message from the health department, telling them they’ll get a call from a specific number.

The tracer who calls will not ask for personal information, like a Social Security number. At the end of the call, some states ask if the contact would like to enroll in a text message program, which sends daily health and safety reminders until the 14-day quarantine ends. But tracers won’t ask you for money or information like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.

There’s no question, contact tracing plays a vital role in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. But scammers, pretending to be contact tracers and taking advantage of how the process works, are also sending text messages.

But theirs are spam text messages that ask you to click a link. Check out the image below. Unlike a legitimate text message from a health department, which only wants to let you know they’ll be calling, this message includes a link to click.

Don’t take the bait. Clicking on the link will download software onto your device, giving scammers access to your personal and financial information. Ignore and delete these scam messages.

There are several ways you can filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you.

• Your phone may have an option to filter and block messages from unknown senders or spam.
• Your wireless provider may have a tool or service that lets you block texts messages.
• Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages.

Here are several other steps you can take to protect yourself from text scammers.

• Protect your online accounts by using multi-factor authentication. It requires two or more credentials to log in to your account, which makes it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they do get your username and password.
• Enable auto updates for the operating systems on your electronic devices. Make sure your apps also auto-update so you get the latest security patches that can protect from malware.
• Back up the data on your devices regularly, so you won’t lose valuable information if a device gets malware or ransomware.

For more information, see How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages.

Want more information on the latest scams we’re seeing? Sign up for our consumer alerts.

New Guide for Small Businesses Reopening Under COVID-19 Regulations State Economic Development Dept

Tuesday May 19 — The Darien Chamber of Commerce passed on this announcement from David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. The announcement also includes information about a webinar for restaurateurs that already began at 9 a.m.:

Working with community and business leaders from around the state, we developed a guide to help small businesses manage the reopening process while complying with the new COVID-19 safety rules.

The Small Business Reopening Resource Guide is available online and includes valuable information about the following topics:

• Financial Needs – Comprehensive list of state and federal financing resources and advisory partners
• Employee Training & Support – General and industry-specific guidance about who should be trained and what training they need
• Physical Layout – Suggestions for maintaining operations while applying new social distancing standards
• List of Suppliers – Detailed list of suppliers to secure masks, face shields, gloves, cleaning supplies and other resources

The guide, which will also be available in Spanish in the next day or two, provides a starting point for businesses and will be updated as new information and guidance becomes available.

We are also kicking off a webinar series this week with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) to help businesses navigate the reopening process. The first webinar, focusing on restaurants, is today, May 19, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Click here to register. Future webinars will cover additional industries, such as hospitality, retail, health care and manufacturing.

As a reminder, businesses and non-profits planning to reopen on May 20 (or during Phase 1) are required to certify with the state that they understand and will comply with the reopening rules. Self-certification only takes a few minutes and can be found online here.

Sincerely,

David Lehman, Commissioner
david.lehman@ct.gov, (860) 500-2310

Reopen CT Group Community Committee Holds Discussion Online 2 PM Tuesday

Tuesday, May 19 — An announcement (Monday evening) from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. 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 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.

MONDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Monday, May 18 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 9 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 43^rd executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 43^rd since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7PP enacts the following provisions:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. Extension of restrictions on off-track betting, indoor fitness, and movie theaters to June 20
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Cancellation of resident camp operations: Prohibits the operation of resident camps for the duration of the civil preparedness and public health emergency.
9. 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.
10. 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.

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.

“It’s critical that we provide as much help and support as we can to our small businesses, so that they can reopen their doors, and meet the new standards required to protect the health and safety of employees and customers,” Governor Lamont said. “I’m very grateful to our community partners for their partnership in bringing together the best possible resources to help our small businesses at this critical time.”

“The COVID public health emergency has created new challenges, especially for Connecticut’s small businesses,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman said. “DECD and AdvanceCT are committed to providing all the help we can to support our business community. The new guide provides important resources to help our small businesses navigate this new terrain.”

“Small businesses face a number of challenges in getting ready to reopen – they need the best possible advice, and guidance to help them identify quickly the best and most reliable resources to meet new needs,” Lyle Wray, Executive Director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments, said. “This guide is intended to provide a good starting point, and to make the path to reopening a little smoother.”

The guide was developed by an ad hoc committee through the Office of the Governor, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and AdvanceCT, in partnership with the following community and business organizations:

• Lyle Wray, Capitol Region Council of Governments, Chair
• Cindy Bombard, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce
• Joe Brennan, Connecticut Business and Industry Association
• Nancy Cowser, Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region
• Joe Ercolano, Small Business Development Center
• Cathy Graves, New Haven Small Business Academy
• David Griggs and Gene Goddard, MetroHartford Alliance
• Kim Hawkins, HEDCO
• Larry McHugh, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
• Patrick McMahon, CT Main Street
• Julio Mendoza, Spanish American Merchants Association
• Dan Onofrio, Bridgeport Regional Business Council
• Jacqueline Torcellini, 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

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.

“The pandemic has already caused undue hardship to families and businesses and further risk to public health and to businesses should be kept to a minimum,” Commissioner Mais said. “Business owners should verify that the coverage they have is still right for them, and that they are prepared both for reopening and for hazards like the upcoming hurricane season.”

“The governor and Reopen Connecticut are instituting a thoughtful reopening schedule with the safety and security of the public,” Commissioner Lehman said. “I’d like to thank all the businesses and their employees who are working so hard during this extremely difficult economic time. We are all committed to safely reopen all businesses as soon as possible.”

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.

Distribution of donated laptops for high schools began today in New Britain

The first batch of laptops that were donated by the Partnership for Connecticut for high schools in need began today in New Britain. An additional six school districts will receive deliveries throughout this week, including Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Hamden, and Hartford.

Due to the large global demand for laptops during the pandemic, they are expected to arrive in Connecticut in three waves. This first wave includes 17,000 laptops. In total, the Partnership for Connecticut is donating 60,000 laptops to high schools across the state.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

Dentist Offices Advised to Reopen Slowly and Only for Emergency or Urgent Care, for Now

Monday, May 18 — An excerpt of an announcement from the Governor’s Office about the state guidance document just issued for dentists, along with excerpts from the document:

Gov. 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,” Lamont said.

Excerpts from the “guidance document”:

“While these guidelines represent best-practices for dental providers to begin to slowly expand their operations in as safe a manner as possible, risks to patients and employees cannot be fully mitigated. Patients who choose to seek non-emergency dental care during this time should be fully aware of the potential risks.

“Patients should also consider the overarching guidance from DPH and CDC that has been in place throughout this pandemic; specifically that individuals 65 years of age or older or with underlying health conditions that put them at risk for infection with, or complications related to, COVID-19 (including those with lung disease, severe heart conditions, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and immunocompromised individuals) should not seek non-emergency dental care at this time, but instead should continue to “’stay home and stay safe.’

“With those restrictions in mind, dental offices are strongly advised to delay, to the extent possible, non-urgent procedures for patients 65 years of age or older or those with underlying health conditions that put them at higher-risk from COVID-19 infection. […]

“At a minimum, employers should allow temporary modified duty assignments that remove higher-risk employees from potential exposure to aerosols in favor of lower-risk duties. If modified duty is not possible, employers should consider allowing higher-risk individuals who are uncomfortable returning to work during this phase to continue to remain out of the office until such time as increased risk to those individuals is mitigated by a significant decrease in community spread of COVID-19 infection. […]

“[T]he Connecticut State Dental Commission has the authority to discipline licensed dental practitioners for failure to adhere to the most recent version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Version date: May 17, 2020 guidelines for infection control in dental care settings.”

Hair Salons and Barber Shops Won’t Open Till Early June in Connecticut and Rhode Island

Monday, May 18 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

As their administrations continue developing strategies for the safe reopening of sectors of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Gov. 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.

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.”

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.”

Darien Police You Don’t Have the Right to Enter Private Roads

Monday, May 18 — Darien Police issued this announcement:

Given the nature of the pandemic, we are seeing an increased volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic. We wanted to take the opportunity to remind residents that there are streets and portions of town that are privately owned.

The residents/owners of these areas are within their rights to restrict access, much as any homeowner has the right to restrict access to their property.

The decision to allow pedestrians, joggers, and bikers is the sole decision of the private entity, so we ask that you are mindful of this as you enjoy the outdoors.