Reopening Summer Schools, In-Person Graduation And More

June 4, 2020

To help you and our neighbors stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving stream of information related to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, my office and I are working to provide news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

  • Reopening Summer Schools Safely
  • In-Person Graduation Ceremonies
  • COVID-19 Antibody Testing
  • CTDOL Suitable Work Requirements
  • Relief for Undocumented Residents

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. 

To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

Reopening Summer Schools Safely

Connecticut's in-person summer schools are preparing to reopen July 6, 2020. A reopening plan has been developed outlining safety measures, daily operating practices, and restrictions to ensure that our students and teachers are better protected. Click here to read a summary of the report

In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

State leaders recently announced school districts will be permitted to hold in-person graduation ceremonies starting July 6, 2020. These ceremonies must follow strict guidelines requiring them to be held outdoors, limited to a maximum of 150 people (including graduates), and implement proper social distancing protocols. Read more about this here.

COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Despite efforts to ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts, we still don't have a complete picture of the virus' impact in Connecticut.

To study how much of the state's population has been infected and better inform response efforts, Connecticut is partnering with Yale University, Gallup, Quest Diagnostics and the Jackson Laboratory to launch a project that will identify, through blood samples, people who have developed antibodies to COVID-19.

Results are expected to be publicly available by the end of the month. Further information about the study is available here

Suitable Work Requirements

Earlier this week the Governor signed Executive Order No. 7UU to permit the Connecticut Department of Labor to consider worker claims where heading back to their workplaces would create "an unreasonable risk" to the health of either the worker or a member of their household. While it could be a factor in considering extending unemployment benefits, it doesn’t assure the continued state support.

Relief for Undocumented Residents

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act excludes relief to any residents who are undocumented and any U.S. citizen who files taxes with an undocumented spouse or partner. It also denies emergency benefits to the U.S. citizen children of these parents. Connecticut is the first state in New England to provide targeted relief to these groups.

This includes $2.5 million in state funding to be made available to provide rental assistance.

The Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection (4-CT), is also providing emergency assistance through pre-paid debit cards to help residents pay for expenses like food and clothing.

Click here to learn more.