Coronavirus Fairfield: All Parks And Town Buildings To Close

FAIRFIELD, CT — Amid the spread of the new coronavirus, Fairfield's first selectwoman has declared a town emergency and announced the closure of all parks and town buildings.

"We are facing a public health crisis that has not been seen in this country for over a century," First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said at a press conference Monday.

In addition to public parks, other recreational spaces including beaches, trails and golf courses also closed effective Monday. Town offices will be closed to the public Tuesday through Thursday, when new protocols for town business will be announced.

The closures followed similar action last week at the Fairfield Fitness Center, the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities and all town libraries. Fairfield Public Schools have switched to remote learning due to the virus.

Monday morning the governors of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey announced that restaurants, bars, casinos, movie theaters and gyms would close 8 p.m. that evening until further notice, but that restaurants could stay open for takeout and delivery. As of Sunday, 26 people in Connecticut had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

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While there were no confirmed cases of the virus in Fairfield as of mid-day Monday, it was announced Monday afternoon that 20 people in neighboring Westport tested positive for the new coronavirus. Fairfield officials urged residents to take precautions by not attending gatherings of any size and staying home except to go to work, to doctor's appointments or to pick up groceries, Health Department Director Sands Cleary said.

Kupchick reminded residents to keep at least 6 feet between themselves and any other person who is not a family member. She also responded to reports that children are gathering to play and residents are going out in large groups.

"This has to stop right now," she said. "... Everyone needs to take this very seriously."

Chief of Police Christopher Lyddy assured residents that town emergency services remain intact.

"We will get through this crisis," he said. "... We're asking the public not to panic over this."

For more information, visit www.fairfieldct.org.