Monday COVID-19 Update

March 16, 2020

New coordinated measures from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey have been put in place to combat COVID-19 – throughout the tri-state area.

Gov. Ned Lamont will restrict gatherings of more than 50 people and order the closure of Connecticut restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, he announced Monday in coordination with governors from New York and New Jersey.

  • Effective 8pm tonight, restaurants will close to the public and will provide take out and delivery service ONLY
  • New York and New Jersey will close commercial casinos effective at 8PM tonight.
  • Governor Lamont will do the same for the state’s physical off-track betting facilities, noting their willingness to voluntarily close.
  • Governor Lamont and Governor Cuomo are strongly urging their tribal partners to close tribal casinos

These uniform standards limiting crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people will be effective 8PM tonight. This follows updated guidance that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.

Read Governor Lamont's press release HERE.


Sundays Executive order

Key Points:

  • An additional six Connecticut residents have tested positive, bringing the total number of positive cases reported in the state to 26.
  • Governor Lamont signed an executive order taking the following actions:
    • Cancels classes at all public schools statewide effective March 17 through at least March 31.
    • Provides flexibility for municipal budget deadlines and related issues.
    • Authorizes the DMV commissioner to close branches to the public, conduct business remotely, and extend deadlines.
    • Allows restrictions on visitor access to psychiatric facilities in order to protect vulnerable residents, patients, and staff.
  • Governor Lamont is requesting the Small Business Administration issue a declaration enabling Connecticut’s small business owners to receive disaster assistance.
  • The Department of Revenue Services is extending the filing deadline for certain annual state business tax returns
  • Responding to the national shortage of hand sanitizer, the state today issued a set of rules to pharmacies so they can begin producing and selling their own hand sanitizer while ensuring its effectiveness and safety.

Read Governor Lamont's press release HERE.