Josh Elliott

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS (Latest Data as of 6:30PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2020)

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, click here.

Governor Lamont signs 55^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 55^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. 7BBB enacts the following provisions:

1. Safety advisory regarding travel from states with high infection rates: Requires the commissioner of the Department of Public Health to issue a travel advisory for self-quarantine of people who arrive in Connecticut from states with significant community spread of COVID-19.
2. Amended deadline for candidates to withdraw from presidential primary: Moves up the deadline by which presidential candidates need to request that their name be removed from the ballot for the August 11 primary, and moves up the date for the secretary of the state to choose by lottery the order of names on the presidential primary ballot. This will allow the secretary to finalize preparations and for election officials to order and public ballots sooner.
3. Accelerated date to finalize order of names on presidential primary ballot: Moves up the date by which the Secretary of the State is required to determine by lot the order in which names of candidates will appear on the ballot for the 2020 presidential preference primary.
4. Temporary commercial pesticide junior operator certification: Allows the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue temporary certifications for commercial junior pesticide operators before candidates have completed the examination, and defer the fees until a permanent certification is issued.
5. Authority to modify enhanced health procedures in child care and day camps: Authorizes the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood to modify the enhanced health procedures required in child care facilities and day camps in order to permit the safe provision of adequate child care services while protecting children, staff, and their families from transmission of COVID-19.

Connecticut ranked as one of only four states on track to contain COVID-19

Connecticut is one of only four states in the nation that are on track to contain COVID-19, according to a study by Covid Act Now. The organization is highlighting the state’s steadily decreasing rate of cases, while also stating that its preparedness efforts “meets or exceeds international standards.”

The other states identified as on track to contain COVID-19 are also in the northeast and include New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.