• Steve Matiatos, CLA President, served on the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group - stevem@ctlodging.org
• Ginny Kozlowski, CLA Executive Director - ginnyk@ctlodging.org
• Connecticut Lodging Association - info@ctlodging.org | 860-635-5600
• Ryan O'Donnell, Siegel, O'Connor, O'Donnell, and Beck P.C. - rodonnell@siegeloconnor.com
• Armando Paolino III, Paolino Public Affairs - armando@paolinopublicaffairs.com

• AHLA Safe Stay Guidelines - https://www.ahla.com/safestay
• Information from Boston Consulting Group on consumer behavior in hotel post COVID. https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2020/understanding-consumer-behavior-in-hotel-industry-post-covid-19.aspx
• CDC Businesses and Workplaces cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

• Governor Lamont Releases Roadmap for Reopening Connecticut: This report is the roadmap to reopen the State of Connecticut I've assembled with input from our state agencies and departments, legislators, and subject matter experts from the Reopen CT Advisory Group. 
• Sector Rules for May 20^th Opening: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/general-reopen-051920.pdf?la=en
• Offices. portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopens_Offices_C4_V1.pdf?la=en
• Restaurants portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopens_Restaurants_C5_V1.pdf?la=en
• Retailers portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopensRetail--051620.pdf?la=en

• The information below is to the best of our current knowledge, and information can alter at any time. We will update as guidelines and changes are released. 
• Please see below for additional details on Phase 2 reopening. Current date for reopening is June 20, this includes lodging. There are 5 criteria to progress to Phase 2 on June 20.

1. When can accommodations reopen? June 20th.
2. Is June 20th the definite start of reopening date. Or, is it pending ongoing matrix data? There are 5 criteria to progress to Phase 2, please see below for additional details on phase 2.
3. Are B&B's and Inns included in the June 20th reopening? Yes, hotels, motels, inns, B&B's, and short term rentals are included in Phase 2 reopening.
4. When will further details and guidance for accommodations reopening be available? State is working on phase 2 guidelines currently and will be published June 6.
5. Since there are so many different types of accommodations, will there be specific safety guidelines for B&B's? Not at this time, but we are happy to review needs of different lodging types. Please contact CLA or DECD with your specific needs for B&B's.
6. Please clarify whether there is a 50% occupancy limit for accommodations. DECD is looking for further opinions on this. Occupancy limitations are occurring in other states. CT Phase 2 guidelines will be published June 6.
7. When will pools and fitness centers be allowed to open? Both indoor and outdoor pools as well as fitness centers we be allowed to open June 20.
8. Is there an occupancy for pools? Not yet. CT guidelines will be published June 6.
9. Do you have details on facials, massages, and are there protocols specifically for spas? CT guidelines will be published June 6.
10. What about indoor restaurant / bars in hotels? Indoor restaurant dining is permitted to reopen on June 20 with 50% capacity. Bars will be permitted in phase 3.
11. How about Breakfast in B and B's being a much smaller dining room? DECD would welcome further opinions on this. CT guidelines will be published June 6.
12. Wondering if a bar is actually in your restaurant where food service is also provided, can you use as a service bar? CT guidelines will be published June 6.
13. Will coffee stations be allowed in hotels? Any self service will be eliminated. CT plans to recommend single serve items only. Further CT guidelines will be published June 6.
14. Is there a time frame for event and meetings to be permitted? We are hoping for phase 3 which is proposed for July 20. Allowance for the number in gatherings will also be in phases.
15. Are small meetings allowed with maintaining 6 foot distance? Today, 5/29/20, Governor Lamont announced indoor gatherings up to 10 are allowed, and outdoor gatherings up to 25 are allowed.
16. As the majority of leisure stays are on weekends- Friday and Saturday nights- could CT possibly open on June 19 instead of the 20th to allow for a full weekend stay the opening weekend? DECD will look into these request.
17. If an event is in a tent and it is a fully enclosed tent, is this considered an outside event? No
18. PPP Loan forgiveness is dependent on full time equivalent employees on 6/15 being more than full time equivalent employees 2/15. Need to open at least by 6/15 to receive PPP loan forgiveness. Follow up with your lender or accountant for guidance. There has been additional guidance from SBA since the program started.
19. Interested in protocols for room cleaning, how long should a room be vacant before next the guest arrive? Suggestion from the AHLA Safe Stay Guidelines is 24 hours. CT guidelines will be published June 6.
20. Are masks required in all areas of the hotel? Masks are recommended in public as well as safe social distancing. CDC recommends the following: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
21. Should we look into fogging systems for the rooms? CT guidelines will be published June 6. For further input visit AHLA Safe Stay Guidelines.
22. Do you think they’ll extend the 8 weeks for PPP or probably not? On Tuesday's AHLA partner state update call, AHLA was very positive about the proposed changes in DC. This week the House passed The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. We will update as soon as we receive news on this.
23. What will happen if schools do not return in the fall as far as people being required to come to work but cant because kids are not in school? If schools don’t return, the expanded FMLA will protect them for 10 weeks paid/12 total.
24. Is any money allocated to increase state marketing budget? CT currently is not in session. Many budget issues will be looked at on the recovery of the pandemic.
25. Our company has literally lost millions of dollars this year. Is the state working on a marketing plan for out industry? There is a strategy in place for the reopening marketing campaign and the CT Office of Tourism will be sharing that shortly. 
26. How can you determine who is essential and who is not as we are not allowed to ask for paperwork? Executive order No 7T lists permissible lodging.
27. Outdoor sports activities can start June 20. Will an Executive Order be issued on this with more guidance? CT guidelines will be published June 6.
28. Are there measures in place should the increase of cases start to go up once more businesses/hotels open? If so, what does that look like? No, not at this time. We will continue to inquire with DECD.
29. What would happen if an employee tests positive after we open? The state and CBIA recommend following CDC protocols. https://www.cbia.com/resources/coronavirus/coronavirus-employer-guidance/respond-employee-tests-positive-covid-19/ - this would result in contact tracing and quarantining. 
30. What happens to hotels that are currently taking leisure travelers and not obeying the rules? Calling the local municipality is the best way to approach this. With the new enforcement local health would oversee restaurants and salons. Local officials have ability to designate fire marshal or zoning as needed.
31. Will there be another webinar conference as we get closer to June 20th? Yes, date to be decided.