Coronavirus: East Haven Mayor Says, Quarantine Or 'Do Not Enter'

EAST HAVEN, CT —Saying he's worried about residents and especially police and first responders, Mayor Joseph Carfora said Friday night that people coming to East Haven from New York City and Fairfield County must quarantine themselves for 14 days, adding that though it may sound "harsh ... but given the situation, we are almost forced to say 'do not enter.'"

Carfora said in a statement emailed to Patch by town attorney Michael J. Luzzi, that he has been told by "emergency personnel ... that there are New York and Fairfield County residents coming to our East Haven shoreline. Some are returning to their seasonal homes while others are seeking rents in available properties. There is no doubt, and it is understandable, that they are leaving identified 'hotspots' to avoid high risk exposure to the coronavirus."

Carfora said that he and town public safety officials are "concerned that these re-locations have the potential to impact the spread of the virus in our community."

"The Connecticut border is not closed and our governor, like others, is not ready to take that step, so travel is permissible. But that does not mean that we should not take every single precaution given the circumstances," Carfora said.

Citing state and federal recommendations that "anyone from New York City should self-quarantine for two weeks if they travel anywhere," Carofra said he's requesting the same but went further.

"Finally, this might sound harsh, but given the situation, we are almost forced to say do not enter. We are required to do anything we can to limit the spread of this virus and we cannot accept anyone. We are obligated to keep our town safe. Our public safety personnel are exposed anyway. Exposing them to outside influences is not fair to them, their families and the taxpayers of East Haven who I am sworn to protect."

Carfora said he'll be contacting the staff of Gov. Ned Lamont Saturday to share his concerns.