Coronavirus CT: What Does The Governor's State Of Emergency Mean?

EAST HAVEN, CT — As the World Health Organization has now officially declared the coronavirus, or COVID-19, to be pandemic, the actions Tuesday by Gov. Ned Lamont to declare a public health state of emergency may seem prescient.

The pandemic declaration refers to the scope of the new coronavirus — but not its severity — and means it has become a "worldwide spread of a new disease.”

During a news conference Tuesday, Lamont and state and local public health officials provided updates on Connecticut’s coronavirus preparedness and response efforts at the State Emergency Operations Center in Hartford.

Lamont declared a Civil Preparedness Emergency, or a state of emergency, which is used when there's a disaster. That happens in the case of hurricanes, for example. Since 2011, there have been five such declarations in Connecticut and all were weather related.

What is not only uncommon but "unprecedented" lawmakers said Wednesday, is that this declaration is for a public health emergency.

Connecticut Senate Pro Tempore Sen. Martin Looney (D-New Haven) said, "this has never happened," saying the measure was "unprecedented," during the Declaration of a Public Health Emergency Committee meeting Wednesday morning.

Committee member Sen. Len Fasano, (R-East Haven), said "we're in uncharted territory."

The committee's job is to approve or deny the governor's declaration. They approved.

So what does a 'Civil Preparedness Emergency' or state of emergency actually mean? What does it do?

As has been the case before, it's done in the event of a natural or man made disaster but is also applicable for a public health emergency. Bottom line: the Governor "may take control of any or all parts of the civil preparedness forces and functions within the State. The Governor may also take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state, to prevent or minimize loss or destruction of property, and to minimize the effects of hostile action."

These are known as the Governor's "extraordinary powers." In this case Gov. Lamont, may, in essence, suspend laws, if necessary, order and enforce evacuations and quarantines, designate when and where people can travel, protect the health and safety of children in schools and inmates of state institutions, and take any other "steps as are reasonably necessary in the light of the emergency to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state..."

Here's the state law that permits this action.

How will It Affect Your Life?

Every civil preparedness emergency is different and may result in different protective actions on behalf of members of the public. During crisis situations it is important stay informed and Patch is here with you.

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This Civil Preparedness Emergency's possible affects include:

• Travel Ban
• School Closure
• Government Facility and Service Closure
• Private Industry Closure

The Connecticut Coronavirus Cases

It was announced Tuesday that the second Connecticut resident to test positive for coronavirus is a woman in her 60s who works in health care at Bridgeport Hospital. She lives in Bethlehem and officials said she came in contact with a student there.
This revelation led to the closure of all Region 14 schools in Woodbury and Bethlehem until the end of the week. A daycare center was also closed. The woman was reported to have acquired the virus while on a trip to Nevada. She was being treated at Bridgeport Hospital.
School officials said the student and the student's family are healthy and self-monitoring in their home for 14 days.

The first resident who tested positive for coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a middle-age man from Wilton who is being treated at Danbury Hospital. He was reported to have contracted the virus while traveling in California.

Officials said they would not name people who have tested positive and added if individuals want to self-identify, that's up to them.

The second presumptive case of coronavirus in the state was announced Monday. The first case was announced Sunday. Over the weekend, coronavirus was detected in two health care workers, including a doctor, who live in New Rochelle, New York, and work in Connecticut. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that New Rochelle will establish a one-mile containment zone to prevent the virus from spreading beyond the city's borders.

Coronavirus Information For Connecticut Residents

For the most up-to-date information from the state of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, all residents in the state are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
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 for those with a hearing impairment.
The hotline only 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 seek treatment.