State Capitol update for the week of March 1

March 5, 2021

This was a week of continued good news of lower infection rates throughout the state, and a resulting easing of COVID-19 restrictions, but also many frustrations for those trying to sign up for vaccinations they are now eligible to receive.  Thank you to those who have shared both tips and frustrations with the process.  Information changes quickly, and some sites refresh their appointments each morning. I’m also continuing to communicate with DPH about setting up additional sites.  As soon as there is news, I will share it.
 
Legislative season is in full force, with overlapping committee meetings and hearings going on every day. Next week, on March 9, I have two important public hearings in my committees, one the committee I chair (Public Safety) and one in Energy & Technology, in which we will hear testimony on HB 6442 An Act Concerning Equitable Access to Broadband.  That topic is quite important to our district, which is one of the most underserved parts of the state.  I encourage any of you who are interested in increasing the availability of high-speed broadband in our region to submit written testimony to ettestimony@cga.ct.gov, and/or sign up to testify via Zoom. 
 
Here are steps to register to testify:

  • Scroll down to Citizen’s Guide
  • Under “Citizen’s Information”, click on Testifying at a Public Hearing 
  • Instructions will be given

You can also register to testify and find more detail on this week’s public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. You can access the Bulletin here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp.

Finally, I want to thank the Torrington and Winsted Rotary for their continued support of local organizations that serve the homeless, particularly in times of increased food insecurity and pandemic-related challenges. Here are two of the worthy Torrington-based organizations they support:

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • COVID Restrictions will be Eased in the Coming Days. Click here.
  • COVID Alert Map. Click here.
  • Variant Update. Click here.
  • Early Opening of the 2021 Fishing Season. Click here.
  • Healthy Chats Hosted by Access Health CT. Click here.
  • PPP update. Click here.
  • HVRH Career Experience Update. Click Here.

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
 
AnchorSome COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in the coming days

In the coming days, some requirements that were implemented in Connecticut in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be eased, particularly when it comes to those relating to capacity levels and travel restrictions.
  
Protocols that will remain in effect until further notice include:
 

  • Face coverings and masks continue to be required
  • Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed
  • 11PM closing time remains in place for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment
  • Indoor theaters continue to have a 50% capacity
  • Large event venues (e.g. stadiums) to open in April

 
The protocols that will be revised in the coming days include:
 
Beginning Friday, March 19, 2021
 

  • All capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required:
    • Restaurants (8-person table capacity and 11PM required closing time for dining rooms continues)
    • Retail
    • Libraries
    • Personal services
    • Indoor recreation (excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50% capacity)
    • Gyms/fitness centers
    • Museums, aquariums, and zoos
    • Offices
    • Houses of worship
  • Gathering sizes will be revised to the following amounts:
    • Social and recreational gatherings at private residence – 25 indoors/100 outdoors
    • Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues – 100 indoors/200 outdoors
  • All sports will be allowed to practice and compete, and all sports tournaments will be allowed, subject to Department of Public Health guidance
  • Connecticut’s travel advisory will be modified from a requirement to recommended guidance

 
Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021
 

  • Capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20

 
Beginning Friday, April 2, 2021
 

  • Outdoor amusement parks can open
  • Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people
  • Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity
  • Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season

 
 
AnchorWeekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
 
The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities.
 

**Download: Report from March 4, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes
**Download: Report from March 4, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities

 

 
 
AnchorWeekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: 104 of 169 municipalities in red zone alert level
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which indicates that 104 of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are currently in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels.
 
The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday afternoon and can be found in the Data Tracker page of the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus.
 
 
AnchorAdditional 3 cases of B.1.1.7 variant reported in Connecticut, bringing statewide total confirmed to 66
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced that an additional 3 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19, commonly known as the UK variant, have been reported among Connecticut residents, bringing the statewide total number of confirmed cases of this variant to 66.
 
The specimen collection dates for these newly identified cases are from between February 10 and February 14, 2021, and the individuals involved range in age from 35 to 95 years old. The cases were detected by the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory with new sequencing technology and capabilities that were recently acquired for the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ability to screen for variants of COVID-19.
 
The 3 individuals are residents of the following towns:
 

  • Greenwich (1)
  • Watertown (2)

 
AnchorEarly opening of 2021 fishing season
 
This week Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 10B, which orders Connecticut’s
2021 fishing season to open effective immediately, ahead of the scheduled date of April 10. The order removes closed seasons for fishing on all inland waters in Connecticut, and opens additional lakes, ponds, as well as rivers and streams to fishing statewide, effective immediately. The governor signed a similar order last year to open the state’s fishing season early at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Connecticut saw a 17 percent increase in new fishing and hunting license sales last year, evidence of how residents are enjoying the state’s spectacular fisheries and natural resources as a safe respite during the pandemic.
 
The Fisheries Division of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) began its 2021 spring stocking of all traditional trout fishing areas in early February. There are also plenty of opportunities to fish for bass, pike, walleye, catfish, and carp in areas that are usually closed at this time of year. Anglers are reminded to purchase 2021 fishing licenses, Trout & Salmon Stamp, and Youth Fishing Passports online, through DEEP’s mobile friendly website or access through DEEP’s main fishing website.
 
AnchorAccess Health CT to host two educational “Healthy Chats” during special enrollment period   
 
Access Health CT (AHCT) announced it will host two educational sessions called “Healthy Chats” on Tuesday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. (Spanish only) to help Connecticut residents learn about plan options, financial help, low-cost and free coverage and tips to stay covered during the Special Enrollment Period that runs until March 15, 2021*. The Special Enrollment Period is for consumers who are not currently enrolled in coverage through AHCT.
 
The Healthy Chat events are free and will be held virtually via Zoom (in English & Spanish). To join, attendees can access the event here, or here: ahct-2021-healthy-chat.eventbrite.com
 

AnchorUS Small Business Administration guidance on revisions to PPP for Sole Proprietors

The U.S Small Business Administration published updated guidance reflecting the new changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), applying to individuals who file an IRS Form 1040, Schedule C.
To view the new Interim Final Rule, click here.
To view the updated First Draw application, click here.
To view the updated Second Draw application, click here.
 
AnchorUpdate from the Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS) Career Experience Program
 
The Winter 2021 edition of the HVRHS Career Experience Program’s “Sticky Note” is out, and its packed with information from local business owners, internships, networking, and career pathways.  Here's the link Winter 2021 HVRHS Sticky Note: The Newsletter of the Career Experience Program
  
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.