COVID-19 Update

Positivity rate is down again- to 2.02%. We now rank third in the country behind Alaska and New Mexico. Total hospitalizations are 568, down 16. Total tests reported is 6,376,947.

 

Vaccine- 68% of the group 75+,  29% of the group 65-74. Total 746,888 doses have been given out..

 

White House Senior Advisor on the COVID-19 team Andy Slavitt, joined Governor Lamont and promised 72,000 shots of the vaccine next week.He was very pleased with Ct”s progress and emphasized his three goals:  more doses, more doctors and nurses, more clinics and pharmacies. Relative to the new strains from UK and South Africa, he said our vaccines can be updated, but we should all stay vigilant.

 

The governor also announced Competitive dancing and cheerleading are now allowed with masks. Spectators are allowed with 25% capacity (200 person capped). Interstate athletic competition may start March1.

CT received 28,000 doses last Friday.. Big increase coming next week.

 

Starting Friday, March19, indoor seating can go up to 50% (capped at 100 people). Outdoors can go up to 200.

Call 211 if you need help!

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

 

36 states are on the travel advisory list. Ohio, Michigan and Virginia have just been added. No states have been deleted this week. The positivity has increased to 1.5, mainly due to indoor private gatherings (discovered by contact tracing.) There is better testing- a wider group spread across all age groups. The governor states that we are better prepared than in the spring with sufficient PPE to handle the increase.

New Mexico has been added to list of travel advisory states. There are 35 states on the list including Guam and Puerto Rico. The CT positivity list has increased to 1.47% with 121 new cases, 4 more deaths, but no new hospitalizations. Bars are still closed but restaurants will be allowed to fill to 75% with proper safeguards.

 

Effective Immediately, visitors will be allowed inside nursing homes to visit their loved ones for the first time in almost seven months.

 

• Governor Lamont’s has issued an executive order permitting elected officials and police to issue fines of $100 to people who refuse to wear a mask, $250 to people who insist on attending an outdoor event of more than 100 people or an indoor party of more than 25,. $500 to people who organized the above events.
• Also, Metro North has begun enforcing a $50 fine for passengers not wearing a mask. There are special PPE machines that sell them and the conductors also have them.
• Travelers from high infection states can avoid the 14 day quarantine if they get a negative COVID test within three days of arriving in CT.
• The infection rate of state colleges and universities remains below 1% (Great News). The state’s public schools are national leaders. There were 32 infections out of 700,000 students and teachers and administrators!

As of September 15, 2020, the following locations meet the criteria and are included in Connecticut’s travel advisory. They are:

1. 1. Alabama
   2. Alaska
   3. Arkansas
   4. Delaware
   5. Florida
   6. Georgia
   7. Guam
   8. Idaho
   9. Illinois
   10. Indiana
   11. Iowa
   12. Kansas
   13. Kentucky
   14. Louisiana
   15. Mississippi
   16. Missouri
   17. Montana
   18. Nebraska
   19. North Carolina
   20. North Dakota
   21. Oklahoma
   22. Puerto Rico
   23. South Carolina
   24. South Dakota
   25. Tennessee
   26. Texas
   27. Utah
   28. Virginia
   29. West Virginia
   30. Wisconsin

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia have been added to CT’s Travel Advisory list.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

The CT COVID-19 hotline is (833)250-7633 or call the 2-1-1 Connecticut Hotline. For callers who are deaf or hard of hearing, relay services are available at 7-1-1 or use the out of state toll free number: 1-800-203-1234. The webpage where information can be found is: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus These services are for general questions about COVID-19. If your experience symptoms, contact your provider.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Ohio, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Arkansas have been removed from CT’s Travel advisory. The Virgin Islands, Hawaii and North Dakota have been added. Anyone entering from one of the states on the Travel Advisory list must fill out a travel health form upon arrival. Travelers can fill out the form online at ct.gov/travelform.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

The following locations are included in Connecticut’s travel advisory. They are:

• Alaska
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

The following locations are included in Connecticut’s travel advisory. They are:

• Alaska
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• Wisconsin

This list will continue to be updated on a weekly basis as the situation develops across the country.

Additionally, while there currently are no state restrictions on international travel, the federal government continues to provide international travel recommendations for anyone living inside of the United States. For guidance on international travel, visit the “COVID-19 Travel Recommendations” section of the CDC’s website.

Legal Documents   July 21, 2020: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7III implementing a mandatory self-quarantine for travelers from states with high COVID-19 levels July 23, 2020: Public Health Acting Commissioner Gifford’s implementation order on the mandatory self-quarantine for travelers

Frequently Asked Questions about Connecticut’s Travel Policies   How is this going to be enforced? Failure to self-quarantine or complete the Travel Health Form may result in a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. How are the affected states chosen? The advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a daily positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10 percent or higher test positivity rate for COVID-19 tests over a 7-day rolling average. The list of states is fluid and will be updated weekly onto this website. Who does the advisory apply to? The requirement to self-quarantine and complete the Travel Health Form is applicable to any traveler who has spent twenty-four (24) hours or longer in an affected state within fourteen (14) days prior to arriving in Connecticut but does not include an individual remaining in Connecticut for less than twenty-four (24) hours. These requirements are also applicable to Connecticut residents who are returning from a visit to an affected state. What does self-quarantine mean? A self-quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. The self-quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. Those in self-quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, and monitor their health. Are there any exemptions for essential travel? Yes. Workers traveling from affected states to Connecticut who work in critical infrastructure as designated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including students in exempt health care professions, are exempted from the self-quarantine requirement when such travel is related to their work in Connecticut. This includes any state, local, and federal officials and employees traveling in their official capacities on government business. If a worker was in an affected state for a reason other than Connecticut-related work (e.g., vacation), that worker must self-quarantine and complete the Travel Health Form. How long is the self-quarantine? The advisory requires visitors to Connecticut from affected states to self-quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days from the time they were last in the affected state. If you board a plane in an affected state today, and land in Connecticut today, your 14 days begins today. If you are in Connecticut for a period less than 14 days, you should plan to be in self-quarantine throughout your visit. If I am coming to Connecticut to a hotel or bed and breakfast, can I do the quarantine there? Yes. Travelers are required to self-quarantine at their home, or a hotel or other temporary lodging. Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey are all asking hotels to communicate the 14-day self-quarantine requirements to guests who have traveled from one of the affected states. Does the self-quarantine requirement also extend to passengers flying to Connecticut on connecting flights that stop in high infection states before arriving in Connecticut? No. The requirement to self-quarantine does not apply to travelers who have a layover in an affected state. If I live in Connecticut and have a household member or guest returning from an affected state, do I and other household members who have not traveled to an affected state also need to self-quarantine? Out-of-state visitors from affected states are encouraged to postpone travel. If it is not possible to delay travel, visitors are encouraged to self-quarantine in the home they are returning to in Connecticut. If it is not possible to self-quarantine from other household members, those other household members who did not travel from an affected state are not required to self-quarantine. Can travelers be tested for COVID-19 instead of self-quarantine? If a traveler is unable to self-quarantine for the required fourteen (14) day period, the self-quarantine requirement will not apply provided that the traveler has (1) had a negative test result for COVID-19 in the seventy-two (72) hours prior to arriving in Connecticut and (2) provided written proof of such test result to the Commissioner of Public Health via email to: DPH.COVID-Travel@ct.gov or via facsimile to: (860) 326-0529. If a test was obtained in the seventy-two (72) hours prior to travel but the result is still pending at the time of arrival in Connecticut, such traveler shall remain in self-quarantine in Connecticut until the test result is received and, if such test result is negative, the result is submitted to the Commissioner of Public Health. If the test result is positive and the traveler is asymptomatic, he or she shall self-isolate for ten (10) days from the date of the test; if symptomatic, he or she should seek medical assistance. Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 prior to traveling to Connecticut should delay such travel and consult with a medical professional. Should non-essential travel to affected states be avoided? Yes. Because of the risk of contracting infection, and because of the need to self-quarantine on return, Connecticut residents are urged to avoid travel to the affected states whenever possible. If I know someone has traveled to Connecticut from an affected state and is in violation of the self-quarantine rule, is there a channel for reporting this? Anyone wanting to report any violations of the self-quarantine order can either call 211 or email covid19.dph@ct.gov If I get fined, is there any way I can dispute of appeal the fine? Any person who receives a notice of civil penalty may, within five (5) business days of the date of the notice of civil penalty, request a hearing before the Commissioner of Public Health to contest the penalty. Such hearing, if requested, will be held within fifteen (15) business days of the Commissioner of Public Health’s receipt of the request.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Executive Order Regarding Travel: Pursuant to Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7III, anyone traveling into Connecticut from a state that has a new daily positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average are directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

In addition, anyone entering from one of the identified states must fill out a travel health form upon arrival. Travelers can fill out the form online at ct.gov/travelform. 

As of July 21, 2020 there are a total of 31 states that meet the criteria and are included in Connecticut’s travel advisory. They are:

• Alaska
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

This list will continue to be updated on a weekly basis as the situation develops across the country.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Governor Ned Lamont today issued a proclamation calling the Connecticut General Assembly to meet in special session beginning Tuesday,

1. Enact legislation to (a) temporarily expand absentee balloting for the August 2020 primary and November 2020 general election in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so that voters may lawfully cast absentee ballots because of the sickness of COVID-19; (b) temporarily alter statutes governing the administration of elections to ensure local officials may administer such absentee balloting in a secure and orderly manner; and (c) permit voters to register and vote on election day at more than one place per town and to do so as long as they are in line to register to vote before 8:00 p.m.;
2. Enact legislation to promote greater transparency and accountability for law enforcement;
3. Enact legislation to (a) temporarily relax restrictions on who can provide certain telehealth services and the modes through which such services are delivered; (b) assist health care practitioners in issuing and pharmacies in transferring prescriptions; (c) temporarily make such services more available to certain publicly and privately insured patients; and
4. Enact legislation to promote more affordable access to prescription drugs, equipment, and supplies used to treat diabetes by (a) limiting the coinsurance, copayments, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses certain insurance policies may impose on insureds for such drugs, equipment, and supplies; (b) authorizing licensed pharmacists to prescribe and dispense emergency quantities of such drugs, equipment, and supplies; (c) establishing a working group to design certain parameters of a program referring eligible individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes to a federally-qualified health center, and authorizing the commissioner of social services to apply for a Medicaid waiver, pursuant to Section 1115 of the Social Security Act; and (d) more closely confirming various provisions of the general statutes concerning high deductible health plans to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code concerning health savings accounts and medical savings accounts.

“COVID-19 has interrupted nearly all state business, and as we continue to navigate this pandemic there are several urgent items that we need to consider in order to move our state forward,” Governor Lamont said. “Taking up these topics makes an awful lot of sense in this current environment, and through my discussions with legislative leaders I am glad that we’ve reached a consensus on the importance of tackling these issues and getting them done now.”

Earlier this week, Governor Lamont held a news briefing outlining his goals for the special session. [Watch video]

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Today, Governor Lamont announced he intends to call the General Assembly into special session early next week. Governor Lamont stated the legislature will focus on four specific bills, the topics include;

Friday, July 10, 2020

Hospitalizations, once 1972, are now 77. Today was the second day of NO Coronavirus deaths in CT. Governor Lamont warned of the danger of complacency in CT and downgraded our distance from A- to B+.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Good news! Today was the first day since mid March with no fatalities from COVID-19

Regional Travel Advisory: Effective 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, anyone traveling into Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey from a state that has a new daily positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average are directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

As of July 7 there are nineteen states that meet the criteria:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

 

Travel Advisory: Effective 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, anyone traveling into Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey from a state that has a new daily positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average are directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

As of today, the list of states includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

This list will be continually updated as the situation develops across the country.

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

 

AARP has made the difficult decision to cancel all in-person AARP Driver Safety events and activities for the remainder of 2020, as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This was an announcement by AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins and impacts all in-person AARP sponsored events.  As a reminder cancellations include:

Smart Driver course participants who may not be able to renew their car insurance discount due to cancellations, may be directed to the AARP Smart Driver online course. AARP is offering a special 25% off discount for those who take it online:  www.aarpdriversafety.org Promo code for 25% off discount: DRIVINGSKILLS

Smart DriverTEK registrants may be directed to the free online workshop: www.aarp.org/SDTEKonline

If you have any questions, please first contact your local AARP Volunteer. If you cannot contact your local volunteer, please call our Customer Service team at 1- 800-569-1658, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM ET.

 

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

Governor Lamont noted that today’s test results represent the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in Connecticut since the pandemic began. Out of the 6,430 tests reported since yesterday, only 80 were positive, representing a 1.2 percent positivity rate. In addition, with a total of 188 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, hospitalization rates in the state dipped below 200 for the first time since the mid-March.

“I can’t stop saying how impressed I am at the people of Connecticut for listening to the advice of public health professionals and taking the appropriate actions to bend the curve,” Governor Lamont said. “The people of Connecticut are having an impact, and that is exactly why our state has been identified as one of only a handful in the nation to be ‘trending better.’ However, this isn’t over, and the last thing we want is to set ourselves back and erase all of the progress we’ve made. Each of us needs to continue doing our part to prevent a renewed spread of this virus. Seeing so many people wearing masks and having this resulting data tells me our residents are looking out for each other.”

County-by-county breakdown:

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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs 54th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 54th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7AAA enacts the following provisions:

• Technical correction to Executive Order No. 7ZZ, Section 8: Clarifies that Executive Order No. 7F, Sections 3 through 5 remain in effect.
• Authority to modify limitation on group sizes in child care: Allows the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood to increase permissible total numbers of children that a child care facility may serve in one space and in one facility.
• Waiver of requirement to hold annual agricultural fair and reporting requirement to maintain agricultural society property tax exemption: Allows agricultural and horticultural societies to continue to receive certain tax benefits without conducting a required annual agricultural fair.
• Mandatory COVID-19 testing for staff of private and municipal nursing home facilities, managed residential communities, and assisted living services agencies: Modifies the mandatory staff testing program for nursing home and other congregate setting staff to set conditions for testing to cease after 14 consecutive days without a positive case and to require resumed testing if any staff member or resident tests positive.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Reminds Travelers to Wear Face Coverings; Be Aware of Social Distancing and Stay Safe

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced a number of steps it has taken prioritize safety for all users of the transportation system as the state enters Phase 2 of its return to pre-COVID operations.

Train and bus service is gradually being augmented to provide service to additional travelers who are beginning to travel again for work and other purposes.

First and most importantly, public transportation users can help protect themselves, fellow riders, and transit workers by wearing face coverings and not riding public transportation when they are sick. This is the most effective way to promote public safety. CTDOT has also directed service providers to continue intensive daily cleaning of buses and rail cars until further notice. On the bus system, riders will continue to board through the rear door on buses so equipped. Some buses already feature clear plastic dividers between the bus driver and the general public and CTtransit is moving forward with the procurement and installation of additional driver barriers on other buses. These barriers are expected to be installed before Labor Day.

As the weather has improved and traffic volumes were depressed, the state saw a larger number of individuals walking and biking in many cities and towns. CTDOT is encouraging pedestrians to “Stop the Spread, Bump the Button” at pedestrian crosswalks. Pedestrians are advised – in English and Spanish – to use their elbow or arm, rather than their hands, to push the button for a walk signal. CTDOT has adhered “Bump the Button” decals to call buttons along state roadways and begun to replace agency-managed pedestrian crosswalk call buttons in several large cities, including Hartford and New Haven, with modern, larger call buttons for “bumping.” Additional cities will be considered for these call button upgrades as funding permits.

“In the months since the coronavirus pandemic began, we have worked hard to prepare for a return to something approaching pre-COVID ‘normalcy,’” Transportation Commissioner Joseph J. Giulietti said. “Travel on buses and trains was restricted to essential travel only. Now, with people re-engaging with our economy, we want to reassure the safety for all users on our trains, buses, roadways and sidewalks. I want to thank our customers and citizens for their patience and understanding, and our operators for their continued support and commitment to the safety of the public.”

Rail service on the New Haven Line, Hartford Line, and Shore Line East continues to operate on a limited schedule. Although ridership, once down by more than 90 percent, is gradually beginning to build, there is substantial capacity for returning riders. Danbury Line and Waterbury Line service remains suspended to accelerate ongoing capital projects, while ridership levels remain at historic lows.

Bus service continues to operate on regular weekday and weekend schedules, providing service to countless essential workers who have continued to ride throughout the public health emergency. Bus ridership saw reductions of approximately 50 percent during the early weeks of the public health emergency. Ridership has begun to increase modestly following the Phase 1 reopening.

The pandemic also had the effect of dramatically reducing highway traffic volumes while at the same time causing a sharp uptick in speeding. CTDOT joined with the Connecticut State Police in a program urging motorists to slow down and “Help Our Heroes” – with electronic message boards along highways promoting the effort. As Connecticut enters Phase 2 of the recovery, CTDOT is continuing to stress dangers posed by speeding and encouraging travelers to observe speed limits, slow down, and watch out for crews in highway work zones.

CTDOT also reminded travelers that the 23 service plazas on I-95, Route 15, and I-395 are fully open for food, fuel, restrooms, and other amenities and travel conveniences. Enhanced cleaning services have been implemented. The seven rest areas along I-84, I-91, and I-95 have also returned to normal operations and staffing, with enhanced and more frequent cleaning in common areas.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs 52nd executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 52nd since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7YY enacts the following provisions:

• Resumption of court filing deadlines: Amends Executive Order No. 7G, Section 2 to provide that the suspension of requirements or deadlines related to Supreme or Appellate Court filings in cases pending before those courts to assist the Judicial Branch in its plans to resume more court business.
• Modifications to DMV functions: Makes several adjustments to the functions administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow customers to conduct more business remotely and reduce the need for in-person visits to DMV branches and affiliates..
• Modifications to Executive Order No. 7E: Repeals Executive Order No. 7E, Section 2 effective June 15.

PURA encourages eligible residents to access federal Lifeline Program to access affordable broadband and telephone services during COVID-19 crisis

In light of the continued financial difficulties attributable to the ongoing public health crisis, Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is reminding Connecticut residents that the federal Lifeline Program has available resources to support low-income customers experiencing connectivity issues with broadband and telephone services.

Administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, the Lifeline Program is available to help eligible low-income customers gain access to more affordable broadband internet and phone services by offering monthly discounts on certain products. Benefits are limited to one per qualifying household. Residents are eligible for the Lifeline Program if one of the following criteria are met:

• Customer participates in certain federal benefits programs, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing or the Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit; or
• Customer’s household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

“During these unprecedented times, gaining and maintaining access to affordable broadband and telephone services is more important than ever to meet the challenges of telework, remote education, telemedicine, and generally staying connected,” PURA Chairman Marissa P. Gillett said. “As many Connecticut residents find themselves facing new economic challenges borne out of the COVID-19 crisis, PURA wants to raise awareness around this valuable Lifeline Program resource.”

LifelineSupport.org provides detailed information about how to apply for benefits, eligibility requirements, and other specifics of the program, including the recent relief offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that relaxes qualifications around qualifying for the Lifeline Program and expands access to the Lifeline Program’s National Eligibility Verifier.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Today, legislative leadership wrote letters (below) to the Governor asking that he call the legislature back into session to deal with three issues:1) Expanding absentee balloting if the Governor cannot order the expansion2) COVID-19 response

Dear Legislative Leaders:

I write to inform you that I intend to call the legislature into special session very soon to resolve the issue of absentee ballots in the November general election and take immediate action on police accountability and transparency in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. On the issue of absentee ballots for the November general election, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill needs to undertake a number of measures in short order to ensure expanded absentee balloting can be done in a secure and orderly manner in November. She cannot do so responsibly without legislation that closely mirrors the recent Executive Order I issued for the August primary. Because my emergency powers are currently set to expire on September 9, I am unable to resolve the absentee balloting issue for the November general election through an Executive Order at this time. In addition, the recent events in Minneapolis and the public outcry over similar events throughout the country require us to seize this moment and work together now to enact measures that will ensure our communities of color feel safe and have confidence that law enforcement and our criminal justice system as a whole treat all of our citizens fairly and equally. Both of these issues must be addressed together quickly, and preferably, in a bipartisan manner in a special session. To that end, I have directed my Chief of Staff to contact each of you immediately to commence discussions that will result in proposed legislation that I am hopeful all of us can support. Once we have agreed upon a package that has sufficient support in both chambers, I will issue a call for a special session that is tailored to specifically address that legislation. I will not issue a call for a special session until or unless that happens, however. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for us to act quickly and with focus on the issues I have identified. Let’s work together now on the urgent issues the public expects us to address.

Thank you,

Ned Lamont Governor

5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

Overall Summary
Statewide Total (includes confirmed and probable cases) Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases
44,092                                                                                     +124
COVID-19-Associated Deaths
4,084                                                                                      +13
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
324                                                                                         -9
COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported
305,99                                                                                +5,715

County-by-county breakdown:

County
COVID-19 Cases (Confirmed/Probable) COVID-19 Deaths (ConfirmedProbable) COVID-19 Hospitalization
Fairfield County
15,379/713                                                                   1,023/293                                              114
Hartford County
10,145/699                                                                 978/313                                                     77
Litchfield County
1,360/66                                                                        113/21                                                      2
Middlesex County
1,130/57                                                                          125/35                                                   14
New Haven County
11,472/388                                                                      870/143                                              108
New London County
1,057/63                                                                             71/25                                                     7
Tolland County
787/76                                                                                   46/14                                                 0
Windham County
421/7                                                                                      13/1                                                    2
Pending address validation
266/6                                                                                       0/0                                                     0

Total
42,017/2,075                                                                  3,239/845                                                324
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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Connecticut’s river ferries to resume operations June 20

The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced that the state’s two ferries that provide service across the Connecticut River – one between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury and the other between Chester and Hadlyme – will resume operations beginning Saturday, June 20, 2020. Typically, the ferries begin operating April 1, however that was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry will operate between 7:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry will operate between 7:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, and between 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is the oldest continuously operated ferry service in the country, having started service in 1655.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Transportation.

6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

Overall Summary
Statewide Total

(includes confirmed and probable cases)
Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases
43,460
+221
COVID-19-Associated Deaths
4,038
+31
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
350
-23
COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported
285,314
+5,857
County-by-county breakdown:

County
COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Confirmed
Probable
Confirmed
Probable
Fairfield County
15,204
710
1,011
293
111
Hartford County
9,982
695
968
309
83
Litchfield County
1,343
66
113
21
2
Middlesex County
1,112
58
120
35
14
New Haven County
11,282
391
855
144
127
New London County
1,045
63
70
25
8
Tolland County
784
75
46
14
0
Windham County
398
7
13
1
5
Pending address validation
237
8
0
0
0
Total
41,387
2,073
3,196
842
350
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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs 51st executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 51st since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7XX enacts the following provisions:

Modification of safety rules for drive-in religious gatherings: Makes modifications to Executive Order No. 7TT to provide that “drive-in” religious, spiritual, and worship gatherings at which all attendees remain in their vehicles may be held with no limitations on capacity if either vehicle windows remain closed or vehicles remain at least six feet apart and participants wear masks or cloth face coverings.
Safety rules for drive-in graduations: Permits drive-in graduation ceremonies at which all attendees remain in their vehicles except for graduates briefly leaving their vehicles to receive diplomas to be held with no limitations on capacity if either vehicle windows remain closed or vehicles remain at least six feet apart and all attendees wear masks or cloth face coverings.
Suspension of the involuntary discharge of nursing facility residents and residential care home residents who may be discharged to homeless shelters, except during emergency situations or with respect to COVID-19 recovered discharges: Suspends the involuntary discharge of residents from nursing homes or residential care homes to homeless shelters for the duration of the declared emergency. This suspension excludes emergency situations when the individual presents a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the resident or other residents or staff, including the refusal to comply with established COVID-19 infection control or social distancing measures that could also endanger staff, and does not apply to specific aspects of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 medical surge plan as addressed in Executive Order No. 7Y.
**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7XX
Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening efforts moved earlier to June 17

Governor Lamont today announced that Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening efforts is being moved up a few days to Wednesday, June 17 to avoid having it take effect during the busy Father’s Day weekend. It previously had been scheduled for Saturday, June 20. The governor will release additional safety guidance for businesses that fall under Phase 2 early next week.

6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities

The following documents contain updated 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 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This data is updated on a weekly basis.

Governor Lamont signs 50th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 50th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7WW enacts the following provisions:

• Technical clarifications regarding the ballot petitioning process for the August 2020 primary and November 2020 general election: Makes technical clarifications to the ballot petitioning process of Executive Order No. 7LL to make it clear that individual petitions do not need to be mailed to the registrar of voters.
• Further clarification of limits on alcohol service and sales related to catering: Permits caterers to provide outdoor service at any location allowed by their license type so long as the event meets the requirements of all executive orders, limits on social and recreational gatherings, and Department of Economic and Community Development sector rules.

Governor Lamont and Banking Commissioner Perez announce 60-day extension to mortgage relief program

Governor Lamont and Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez today announced that over 45 banks and credit unions have agreed to extend their voluntary participation in the Connecticut Mortgage Relief Program, which provides relief to consumers facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The program, launched on March 31, 2020 and set to expire on May 31, 2020 will now run through July 30, 2020.

“While the state continues its progress towards safely re-opening, Connecticut residents continue to be impacted by the economic fallout of the pandemic,” Governor Lamont said. “By extending the Connecticut mortgage relief program through July 30, 2020, credit unions and banks have demonstrated their commitment to help their members and customers through this crisis. I am grateful for their participation in this program.”

The program, launched on March 31, 2020, extends the following original provisions through July 30, 2020:

• 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions will continue to offer mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will continue to:
  • Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation;
  • Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and
  • Provide the opportunity to extend forbearance agreements if faced with continued hardship resulting from COVID-19.
• Relief from fees and charges: Through July 30, 2020, participating financial institutions will waive or refund mortgage-related late fees and other fees including early CD withdrawals.
• No new foreclosures for 60 days (through July 30, 2020): Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions.
• No credit score changes for accessing relief: Financial institutions will not report derogatory information (e.g., late payments) to credit reporting agencies but may report a forbearance, which typically does not alone negatively affect a credit score.

This agreement means that participating banks and credit unions will continue to not initiate any new foreclosures, foreclosure sales and evictions for another 60 days. It also extends the relief on certain fees until that date. The mortgage relief program, applies only to mortgages owned by banks and credit unions, also known as “portfolio mortgages.”

“By voluntarily agreeing to extend their participation in this initiative, Connecticut banks and credit unions have shown us that they once again stand ready to assist their customers and members during difficult times,” Commissioner Perez said. “This initiative is designed to provide relief for residents of the state who are feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19. We are all in this together and our financial institutions have shown they are partners to help get us through.”

“For almost 100 years, credit unions in Connecticut have relied on the collective ability of their members to support one another,” Bruce Adams, president and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut said. “As not-for-profit financial institutions, we leverage the collective strength of our members to provide flexible, creative, and compassionate assistance to the people and communities who need it the most. We applaud Governor Lamont for affirming our unique ability to help in times of need.”

“Connecticut banks are ready to continue to assist their customers,” Tom Mongellow, President of the Connecticut Banker’s Association, said. “They understand that these are uncertain times and are ready to help ensure the financial wellbeing of Connecticut residents. When customers reach out directly to their bank, they will find a helpful and willing partner.”

For a list of participating financial institutions and a Q&A on the program, click here.

Judicial branch continues with expansion of operations

The Connecticut Judicial Branch today announced that effective Monday, June 29, it is targeting the resumption of limited operations at four additional courthouse locations, including the Judicial District courthouses in Danbury, Milford, and Stamford, and the Geographical Area No. 11 courthouse in Danielson.

The expansion will bring the number of open courthouses to 17, including the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, 13 Superior Court locations, and two juvenile court locations. As such, one Superior Court courthouse will be open in each of the 13 Judicial Districts.

The Judicial Branch is also planning to expand its hours and days of operations to the following:

• Starting the week of June 15, all open courthouse locations will be open each day, Monday through Friday. The hours for the public will be Mondays from 9AM to 5PM, and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9AM to 1PM.
• Starting the week of June 29, the Danbury, Milford, Stamford, and Danielson courthouses will be open to the public. Consistent with all other open courthouse locations, public hours will be Mondays from 9AM to 5PM, and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9AM to 1PM.
• Starting the week of July 6, open courthouse locations will be open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9AM to 5PM.

Most work within the open court locations will continue to focus on those most pressing matters, such as criminal arraignments for defendants held on bond, domestic violence cases, restraining orders, emergency child custody matters, juvenile detention hearings, and all other emergency matters.

For more information on today’s announcement, read the press release issued by the Judicial Branch. Additional guidance on the impact of COVID-19 on the courts continues to be updated on the Judicial Branch’s website at jud.ct.gov.

5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

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, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

State informs school districts that in-person graduation ceremonies can be held starting July 6 following certain guidelines

Governor Lamont today announced that after consulting with Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona and state public health officials, he has determined that school districts will be permitted to hold in-person graduation ceremonies beginning July 6, 2020, following certain guidelines, including a requirement that they be held outdoors, limited to a maximum of 150 people in attendance (including graduates), and proper social distancing protocols must be followed.

The present requirements related to drive-in ceremonies will continue to apply if schools decide not to hold in-person ceremonies. These requirements include compliance with all public health related rules, orders, the instructions in standing Connecticut State Department of Education and Department of Public Health guidance, and that where:

1. Cars are parked immediately next to each other, all car windows must stay closed
2. Cars are parked at least six feet from each other, car windows may be open. All individuals in the car must wear masks.

The governor intends on issuing an executive order codifying this guidance within the next couple of days. The Connecticut State Department of Education will also soon provide school districts with additional guidance related to in-person ceremonies. To ensure they are making determinations consistent with public health and safety outcomes, school districts are asked to contemplate a local approach that best suits their respective communities and coordinate all activities with municipal officials, local law enforcement, first responders, and local health officials.

State Department of Education releases rules for operating in-person summer schools programs

The Connecticut State Department of Education has released guidance to every school superintendent in the state detailing rules for operating in-person summer school programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Developed by the PK-12 subgroup of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group with input of educators, students, parents, health officials, and the public, the rules state that in-person summer school programs can begin on July 6, 2020, provided that locations comply with certain requirements and the health and safety plans are reviewed with the district’s local director of public health and school medical advisor, if applicable.

To read the summer school rules, click here. To read a guidance document on preparing for a safe return to classroom learning, click here.

Connecticut receives $224 Million in federal COVID-19 funding for rail and bus operations

The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced that it has been awarded $224.3 million in federal COVID-19 funding from the Federal Transit Administration to help cover expenses (operations, maintenance, and personal protective equipment) for rail and bus operations in the state.

Under the recently passed “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the CARES Act), funding is provided to urban and rural public transit systems for operating expenses that occurred on or after January 20. In general, operating expenses are those costs necessary to operate, maintain, and manage a public transportation system. Examples of these expenses include driver salaries, fuel, and items having a useful life of less than one year, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

Of the $224.3 million, $150 million will be earmarked for New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, and Waterbury Line; $6 million for Shore Line East; $50 million for CTtransit, CTtransit Express, and CTfastrak services statewide; and $10.1 million for rural transit services within the state. Additionally, $8.2 million has been awarded for bus transit districts statewide with an additional $19.2 million in pending awards for the transit districts.

The state will be applying for additional funding totaling about $244 million later this year.

“This is very welcome news, and I thank Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for their support in securing this funding, and our partners at the Federal Transit Administration for their rapid review and award of these funds,” Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said. “Our trains and buses continue to operate around Connecticut, and this funding will help ensure we can continue this essential service during this critical and challenging time.”

AAA reopens licensing services at eight retail stores in Connecticut

AAA today announced that they have reopened eight of its retail stores in Connecticut and are now providing Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) licensing services, however customers are required to make appointments in advance in order to provide for social distancing. Previously, these services had been available on a first come, first served basis.

Officials at the DMV stress that deadlines for all licenses that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 have automatically been extended by 180 days, so it is not necessary to renew these credentials until that extension has expired. However, anyone who would like to get their licensed renewed now has the option to get this done at AAA retail stores.

The AAA stores that have reopened include Avon, Cromwell, Enfield, Manchester, Old Saybrook, Southington, Waterford, and West Hartford.

To make an appointment with AAA, visit hartford.aaa.com/dmv-ct. For more information, read the press release issued today by AA

6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 49th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 49th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7VV enacts the following provisions:

• Amended limitation on program sizes in child care: Modifies the number of children that a child care program can serve during the civil preparedness and public health emergency from 30 to 50 without needing to obtain approval from the Office of Early Childhood. Any facility caring for more than 50 children will need to obtain approval.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7VV

FEMA approves funding for crisis counseling in Connecticut

Governor Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide crisis counseling to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. This program will be administered by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in cooperation with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. A federal grant of $669,404 will be utilized by the state to provide the following services:

• Crisis counseling to persons experiencing homelessness who are in shelters, hotels, and in the community, as well as staff in these facilities;
• Crisis counseling to senior citizens in congregate care settings and the community; and
• Enhancement of crisis counseling call-line services provided through United Way 2-1-1.

The funding will also be used to develop a statewide advertising and media campaign, including social media outreach for the purpose of linking victim families to needed resources, as well as provide psychological first aid support and stress management tips.

Additional emergency SNAP benefits being delivered June 18 to more than 108,000 households in Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Social Services today announced that it will provide $16.3 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to nearly half of Connecticut’s SNAP participants on Friday, June 12, 2020. This is in addition to the $50.2 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April and May.

Authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the extra food benefits will go to more than 108,000 households in the state that are not currently receiving the maximum benefits allowed for their household size. This means that all households in enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum food benefit allowable for their household size, even if they are not usually eligible for the maximum benefit.

Specifically:

• The Department of Social Services expects that more than 108,000 of the 222,000 households enrolled in SNAP in Connecticut will receive the emergency benefits in June.
• With this additional $16.3 million allocation, emergency SNAP benefits are totaling over $66.5 million in additional assistance statewide during April, May, and June, with commensurate spending in the food economy.
• The average emergency benefit amount a household will see on its electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card on June 12 is $150.
• All participating households will also receive their normal SNAP benefits on the first three days of each month as they normally do, according to last name.

Emergency benefits will allow each household’s SNAP benefit to increase to the maximum allotment for a household of that size as follows:

(Each additional person: add $146)

For example, if a household of two would normally receive $255 of SNAP benefits in June, $100 would bring this household up to the maximum benefit for its size. This household would receive a $100 emergency benefit on June 12.

7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

**NOTE: Beginning today, this daily update now includes COVID-19 cases and deaths broken down as either “confirmed” or “probable.” Previous reports used a combined number. Probable cases of COVID-19 involve persons who have not had confirmed laboratory testing (RT-PCR) performed, but whose symptoms indicate they are very likely to have a COVID-19 infection. In Connecticut, most of the probable COVID-19 cases involve persons whose death certificates list COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. **

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 48th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 48th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7UU enacts the following provisions:

• Mandatory COVID-19 testing for staff of private and municipal nursing homes, residential communities and assisted living agencies: Requires all staff of these facilities to be tested for COVID-19 weekly for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency.
• Determination of suitable work: Allows the Connecticut Department of Labor to consider, when determining a worker’s eligibility for unemployment benefits, whether COVID-19 means returning to work would pose an unreasonable risk to the health of a member of that worker’s household.

Deadlines approaching for residents who lost health insurance due to job loss to qualify for coverage through Access Health CT

Connecticut residents who may have lost their jobs from a furlough or layoff within the last two months must act quickly if they would like to enroll in health care coverage through Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

In general, people who lost health insurance due to a job loss have 60 days to apply for coverage through Access Health CT, as that job loss is considered a “Qualifying Life Event.” This means that the deadline to enroll for anyone who lost their jobs in April is approaching fast.

To help residents maintain qualify and affordable health care coverage, Access Health CT recommends comparing options on AccessHealthCT.com to COBRA coverage, as the marketplace may offer a better, less expensive choice, and is the only place where people can qualify for financial help to lower their costs.

Access Health CT is working closely with the Connecticut Department of Labor and other entities to reach out to businesses that are in the process of reducing their workforce.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Access Health CT.

Online purchasing of food with SNAP benefits begins June 2 and 3

The Department of Social Services today announced that recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be able to purchase food online from participating retailers in Connecticut beginning Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3. SNAP enrollees will be able to use their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup.

Retailers approved for the initial launch of online SNAP purchasing are Amazon (including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh), 12 Walmart stores (click here for a list), and 22 ShopRite stores (click here for a list).

Online SNAP purchasing will begin on June 2 at Walmart in Cromwell and Manchester beginning at 3:00 a.m., ShopRite in Canton and Waterbury beginning at 5:30 a.m., and Amazon beginning at 2:00 p.m. All other participating stores will launch online SNAP purchasing on June 3.

Online contact points for the stores are www.amazon.com/snapebt; www.walmart.com/grocery; and www.shoprite.com/Store-Locator.

Only SNAP benefits on EBT cards can be used for online purchases. At this time, cash assistance benefits on EBT cards cannot be used for any part of online shopping, including shopping, delivery, or service fees. Federal rules do not allow any SNAP benefits to be used for shopping, delivery, or service fees, but some food retailers may choose to waive fees (as Amazon does for orders over $35). Online shopping customers using SNAP benefits will be able to use other debit or credit cards to pay for any fees or non-SNAP-eligible items they wish to purchase.

For more information about SNAP benefits in Connecticut, visit www.ct.gov/snap.

Connecticut Department of Housing announces federal approval of CARES Act dollars

The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) today announced that it has gained approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the federal dollars the state agency is receiving from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that will be utilized for housing issues. DOH was awarded $8.1 million in CDBG-CV funding and $8.1 million in ESG-CV funding. This is the first tranche of federal dollars that DOH was awarded under the CARES Act.

Eligible activities under CDBG-CV include – but are not limited to – making interim improvements on private properties to enable an individual patient to remain quarantined on a temporary basis; providing test diagnosis or services at a fixed or mobile location and providing equipment necessary to carry out the public service; and delivering meals on wheels to quarantined individuals or individuals that need to maintain social distancing due to medical vulnerabilities.

ESG-CV eligible activities include – but are not limited to – the expansion of rapid rehousing, expansion of shelter operations, establishing an eviction prevention program, and utilizing monies for telehealth. DOH has oversight of most of the homeless shelters in the state. This federal funding will assist DOH’s ongoing efforts of moving homeless individuals from hotels into permanent housing.

“I’m pleased to continue our collaboration with HUD as we respond to the ongoing pandemic and develop a long-term strategy to deal with its effects,” Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said. “My highest praise goes to our frontline partners that serve the public admirably and remain flexible when adapting to shifting priorities. This first tranche of funds will be an added boost to our operations.”

“HUD is pleased to work with the Connecticut Department of Housing,” David Tille, HUD’s Regional Administrator for New England, said. “As our largest grantee, they are in the best position to work with our partners on the frontlines to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus with these CARES Act funds. We are confident that they will successfully use these funds to meet the urgent and complex challenges faced by our communities.”

Attorney General Tong, Connecticut State Police release public service announcement encouraging residents to fact check COVID-19 information

Attorney General William Tong and the Connecticut State Police today released a public service announcement encouraging residents to fact check the information they receive about the COVID-19 pandemic and beware of scam artists who are attempting to spread false information.

The public service announcement can be watched on Attorney General Tong’s YouTube channel.

Complaints of scams can be filed on the website of the Office of the Attorney General.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Attorney General Tong and the Connecticut State Police.