Maria Horn

I hope everyone took some time to celebrate Mother’s Day over the weekend, including the many surrogate mothers we all have in our lives, especially now. My favorite gift was from my son, who, after asking for some guidance, cleaned the bathrooms! Not that I didn’t also appreciate the delicious dinner, but the cleaning was extra nice.

Today’s newsletter focuses on the details of how and when businesses may choose to re-open in CT, as I know we are all concerned about how that will work. As always, please pass along your concerns about your own business or the businesses where you work and shop, so we can work through these challenges together.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Guidelines for Reopening Connecticut
• Task force formed to provide support to small businesses on regulations'

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

Guidelines For Reopening CT
Connecticut is taking a gradual approach to reopening the state. In order to protect our most vulnerable peers, it is crucial that this is done safely and deliberately. Next Wednesday, May 20, the first set of businesses will be allowed to reopen. They are as follows:

• Restaurants (outdoor only, no bar areas)
• Outdoor recreation
• Personal services (hair)
• Museums, Zoos (outdoor only)
• Remaining Retail
• Offices
• University research

Restaurants
Only outdoor areas can open at this time. Indoor areas and bar areas shall remain closed. Tables must be spaced six feet apart. Employees must wear masks or cloth face coverings.

Barber Shops and Beauty Salons
Employees and customers are both required to wear masks or cloth face coverings. Verbal communication within 6 feet should be limited. Waiting areas must remain closed - customers shall be seen by appointment only.

Museums and Zoos
Museums and zoos should calculate maximum safe occupancy for each exhibit area/room to allow for social distancing between groups, and to comply with state social gathering size guidance. Establishments should display signage, floor markings and enhanced presence of attendants and other personnel to enforce such occupancy rate.

Malls and Retail Stores
Stores shall designate hours for vulnerable populations (e.g., the elderly or those with underlying health conditions). Fitting rooms will be closed. Stores will install social distancing markers to encourage customers to remain 6 feet apart.

Offices
For offices, employees are encouraged to continue to work from home whenever possible. Tenants should coordinate with building owners to ensure these rules are implemented effectively. Common areas shared between tenants are the responsibility of the landlord (e.g. lobbies, elevators, etc.), while individual tenant areas are the responsibility of the tenant (e.g. individual floors, kitchen areas, etc.).

Although we have seen a decline in hospitalizations, we still have a long way to go before life returns to normal. Following these rules and abiding by other CDC guidelines is the only way we will overcome this pandemic. For more information about the reopening plan, click here.

Task force formed to provide support to small businesses on regulations

In tandem with the release of the guidance for business on re-opening, DECD Commissioner David Lehman announced that his office is launching an ad hoc task force that will provide support to small businesses on how to implement these new regulations.

The Reopen Connecticut Small Business Implementation Task Force will be chaired by Lyle Wray of the Capitol Region Council of Governments. Other members will include:

• Cindy Bombard, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce
• Joe Brennan, Connecticut Business and Industry Association
• Nancy Cowser, seCTer
• Joe Ercolano, Small Business Development Center
• Cathy Graves, New Haven Small Business Academy
• David Griggs, MetroHartford Alliance
• Kim Hawkins, HEDCO
• Larry McHugh, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
• Patrick McMahon, CT Main Street
• Julio Mendoza, Spanish American Merchant Association
• Dan Onofrio, Bridgeport Regional Business Council
• Fran Pastore, 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