Governor Lamont Releases Rules for Businesses Under First Phase of Connecticut's Reopening Plans Amid COVID-19

May 20 is the target date for a gradual, phased in re-opening of certain businesses if public health conditions are met. Conditions include 14 consecutive days of declining hospitalization rates, increased testing, contact tracing, protection for those at highest risk, adequate protective equipment, and social distancing measures.

For Phase 1, Governor Ned Lamont and the DECD Commissioner David Lehman have shared the following guidance for restaurants, offices, retail, hair salons and barber shops, and museums and zoos:


All businesses subject to these rules will be required to self-certify prior to opening May 20. The certification system will be online in the coming days providing detailed information on physical distancing, hygiene, sanitizing, PPE, scheduling, training and other requirements.

The state has established a new task force to help small businesses understand and implement these new regulations. The task force will release a detailed guide by May 15 to help organizations implement the rules and open safely.


Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.  

To Contact the CT RIVER AREA HEALTH DISTRICT (CRAHD) regarding reopening
Please email: rdrew@crahd.net or call 860-661-3300 and leave a message.

NOTICE: We know many Connecticut businesses are struggling as they deal with the effects of COVID-19. We appreciate your perseverance and know we share your commitment to keeping our residents healthy. The state, working with its federal partners, has several programs and initiatives in place to assist businesses during this difficult period. For specific questions related to small business, email the Joint Information Center at COVID19.JIC@ct.gov, or call the DECD small business hotline at 860-500-2333. 

LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ RELEASES STATEMENT ON CONNECTICUT REACHING 60% 2020 CENSUS COUNT  

Let's Go Middlesex and Chester - this is money in our town's pocket!
 
Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz released the following statement after Connecticut reached another important milestone in the  2020 Census  count. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s  Community Response Map , as of 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, 60.2 percent Connecticut residents have already self-responded to the 2020 Census.  
 
“Connecticut has made immense strides in reaching a 60 percent response rate for the 2020 Census. We could not have achieved this important milestone without the tireless work of the members of our statewide complete count committee, our 156 local complete count committees, and other state, local, and federal officials. Despite the fact that COVID-19 has impacted planned census outreach efforts, Connecticut has exceeded the national response rate of 56.3 percent and we’re currently the best counted state in the region. 
 
“However, with nearly 40 percent of residents left to be counted, we must all continue working to ensure that everyone, especially hard-to-count communities, are properly informed and encouraged to complete their census. It’s important that we count every single person so that our state can receive the nearly $11 billion in federal funding determined by census data. It has never been easier to complete the  census  from the safety of your own home. You can do it  online , over the phone, or by filling out the paper form that was mailed to your home in April.” 
 
County response rates as of today:  
Tolland- 66.6% 
Middlesex- 63.5% 
Hartford- 61.7%  
New London- 61.4%  
Fairfield- 59.9%  
Litchfield- 58%  
New Haven- 57.8% 
Windham- 57.6% 
 
Complete your census today by visiting  2020Census.gov  or call (844) 330-2020.