Lamont Clarifies Coronavirus Unemployment Health Claims

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont’s latest executive order mandates coronavirus testing for nursing home staff and clarifies unemployment benefits for those who are fearful of going back to work and potentially contracting the virus.

Nursing home and assisted living facilities must start weekly testing staff no later than June 14. Weekly testing will last for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency. Staff includes administrators, medical staff, employees, per diem staff, contractors with a regular presence in the facility and volunteers.

Lamont also clarified the determination of suitable work for unemployment claims dated between May 17 and July 25. It allows Department of Labor staff to consider whether COVID-19 would pose an unreasonable risk to the health of an employee or employee’s family when determining if the employee is qualified for unemployment benefits.

The exact writing in Lamont’s order is as follows:

“In determining whether or not work offered is suitable for an individual, the Administrator shall consider the degree of risk to the individual's health or, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the health of a member of that individual’s household. In determining the degree of risk, the Administrator may consider the individual's or household member’s health, his or her physical capabilities, the physical and mental requirements of the job, working conditions and the existence of any medical documentation concerning the individual's limitations. Where an unreasonable risk to the individual's health or, due to COVID 19, the health of a member of that individual’s household is established, the Administrator shall find the work to be unsuitable for the individual.”