COVID-19 Updates

April 10, 2020

I hope you and your family are healthy as we navigate these difficult days.

As we respond to COVID-19, I will continue to update you by e-mail every few days and will use it as an opportunity to compile and share a summary of the important information from the previous few days. For daily updates, including the most recent data and statistics, please follow my Facebook page - I am posting there on a daily basis.

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.


Update on Schools

In the best interest of public health, Governor Ned Lamont has announced that schools will not re-open until at least May 20th. Distance learning will continue. These dates will be re-evaluated in May.

New Rules for Essential Businesses

On Wednesday, Governor Lamont issued an exective order that established new rules for businesses that have been deemed "essential" and thus remain open.

In an effort to further reduce the spread of OVID-19, the order directs business that remain open to implement additional measures to protect workers and customers. According to the order:

Every workplace in the State of Connecticut shall take additional protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between and among employees, customers, and other persons such as delivery drivers, maintenance people or others who may enter the workplace.

The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall issue legally binding statewide rules prescribing such additional protective measures no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 7, 2020. Such rules shall be mandatory throughout the state, for essential businesses and nonprofits and any other business or nonprofit permitted to operate, and shall supersede and preempt any current or future municipal order.

Click here to read the full executive order.

Assistance for Renters

With everything going on, you should not need to worry about being evicted or struggling to put together money for rent if you are out of work because of the COVID-19 crisis.

At my urging, Governor Lamont issued an Executive Order today to provide some relief to renters.

The order will provide the following assistance to renters:

  • Landlords will be prohibited from issuing evictions from now until July 1.
  • For the month of April, renters will be given an automatic 60 day grace period.
  • For the month of May, there will be a 60 day grace period upon the request of the tenant to the landlord.
  • Security deposits can be applied towards rent for April, May or June.

Renters must be in good standing with landlords to take advantage of this assistance.

Click here to read the full executive order.

Property Tax Deferral Program

The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) recently released additional information for cities and towns to implement the property tax deferral or low-interest programs under one of the governor's recent executive orders related to the COVID-19 crisis. Click the link to read more.

(Note: The local town council must approve the programs by the deadline of Apr. 25 in order for the temporary tax relief to take effect.)

The deferral program allows taxpayers 90 days following the due date before it is considered late and interest would be charged. In addition, the low-interest program reduces the interest rate charged on a current bill, or on past due taxes from 18% annually to 3% annually for 90 days.

In order for property tax payers to take advantage of these programs, an application must be filled out. Click here to access the application.

Nominate a Hero

During times of crisis, we come together like no one else.

I am launching an effort with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor our friends and neighbors who are going above and beyond.

Do you know a first responder? A health care worker? Grocery clerk? Great neighbor? Nominate them for recognition!

I will feature these community heroes in my e-newsletters and Facebook page. And we are launching a new website to recognize everyone.

Please send me your nominee’s name, picture, street address, email or phone, and two sentences as to how they have made our community stronger during the pandemic.

Together, lets thank them for being them.

CT Safe Connect

Domestic abuse victim-survivors who need assistance can contact CT Safe Connect.

It is a project of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) that was developed as a way to make it easier for victim/survivors of domestic violence to access information, resources and assistance.

If you or someone you know needs help or just someone to talk to, please visit CTSafeConnect.org or call (888) 774-2900. Advocates are available 24/7.

Additionally the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the governor's request to include domestic violence survivors along with first responders and health care workers who need to temporarily live separate from family or roommates, and those experiencing homeless.

The reimbursement guidelines authorize state and municipalities to receive a 75% reimbursement for the costs associated with providing non-congregate housing.

Last week the Governor signed an executive order allowing victim-survivors of intimate partner violence to file an application for a temporary restraining order or civil protection order remotely. Instructions and additional information are available on the CT Judicial Branch web site, here.

Happy Easter

While Easter celebrations this weekend will be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures, you can still virtually celebrate with friends and family or online with a church or house of worship.

This can be a great opportunity to connect with your loved ones over the phone or video chat.

I hope you have a Happy Easter Sunday!