Weekly Update

June 12, 2020

To help you and our neighbors stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving stream of information related to current events, I am compiling a few of the things that I've worked on this past week, as well as an update on Phase 2 plans for several sectors in the state starting June 17.
In this update you will find:

  • Hospital on COVID-19 and the MIS-C, the inflammatory disorder related to COVID.
  • DMV Extensions
  • PPP Update
  • Phase 2
  • Summer Camps & Childcare Zoom link
 
DMV deadlines have been extended by 180-days from their original expiration dates. Eligible DMV credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 will automatically be extended.

For more information, visit https://www.ctdmv.info/credentials-covered/
 

Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act
Last week the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act was signed into law. This piece of legislation makes several important changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program to give small businesses more time to use their loans and allow borrowers to spend more of their loans on non-payroll expenses.

Key changes:

  • Extends the period to use PPP funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks
  • Reduces the minimum payroll spend to 60% (from 75%)
  • Borrowers can now use the 24-week period to fully restore their workforce levels and wages (December 31 instead of June 30)
  • Businesses now have five years to repay the loan, instead of two

Business owners are encouraged to read the new legislation and work with a financial professional to ensure they fully understand the updated requirements. More information about the programs are available on the SBA website here.  To find a lender that is still issuing PPP loans, click here.
 
Outdoor amusement parks will begin to open with a limited 25 percent capacity. Social distancing rules will be practiced throughout, from the parking lot where customers will be directed to park in every other space during peak hours to leaving empty seating and/or rows on rides. For more information regarding the reopening of Amusement Parks please click here.

Though outdoor dining is encouraged, restaurants will reopen for indoor dining at 50 percent of regular indoor seating capacity in order to maintain social distancing standards. Employers will be required to enforce the capacity limits as well as ensure a thorough cleaning of the restaurant before reopening including kitchen, dining area, bathrooms as well as any other often-touched areas.

You can learn more about the safety guidelines and precautions being implemented for restaurants here.

Gyms, sports complexes, sports clubs, fitness centers and pools can reopen at 50 percent capacity.

Facilities requiring customers/participants to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 6 ft of space between equipment, but facilities that do not require customers to wear a mask while exercising must have 12 ft of space between equipment.

With respect to youth and high school sports, outdoor sporting events are in play but limited to two teams, officials and limited family members. Indoor events are limited to 50 percent capacity or 25 people (whichever is smaller) at each field, court, pool, etc. The limit can be exceeded only to include one parent/guardian per athlete.

More safety and guidelines information can be found here.

Indoor recreation businesses including movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades can reopen at 50 percent capacity. At least 6 feet of empty space must be maintained between individual customers or groups of customers for group activities. Customers will be encouraged to use one piece of equipment (bowling ball for example) during visits.

The safety and guidelines information for indoor recreation is right here.

Libraries can reopen at 50 percent capacity and are encouraged to have guards at the entrance to count and monitor the number of people inside when high traffic times are expected. A six-foot distance between seating must be arranged.

Programs including workshops or job fairs must also follow the rules on size of social gatherings. For more information please click here.

Hotels and lodgings will be accommodating guests with reservations only. To read more about the safety guidelines and precautions being implemented, click here.

Museums, zoos, and aquariums with outdoor and indoor exhibits will be limited to 50 percent capacity. To read more about the safety guidelines and precautions being implemented, click here.
 
Outdoor events: The maximum permitted gathering size will be updated periodically in response to public health data. To read more about the safety guidelines and precautions being implemented, click here.

Personal services including day spas, massage therapy, and nail technicians are also opening. To read more about the safety guidelines and precautions being implemented, click here.
 
And finally,  as Executive Director of the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative, my colleague Senator Cohen invited me for a Zoom discussion on Summer Camp and Childcare during COVID-19 along with Commissioner Beth Bye of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and Matt LaPrino, Executive Director of the Soundview Family YMCA. We talked about what camp will look like, how to find childcare and how facilities will keep our children safe in this new post-pandemic environment. To watch please go to Senator Cohen's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorCohenCT/videos/246355573331942/
 
As many of us look forward to the return of some daily normalcy, please be sure to remain mindful of those around you, and please take every necessary precaution to stay safe and healthy.