Coronavirus CT: 'Essential' Businesses Defined In Lamont's Order

CONNECTICUT — The total number of positive tests for the new coronavirus in Connecticut reached 327 on Sunday and eight deaths have been reported thus far.

Over the past two weeks, Gov. Ned Lamont has shutdown most of the state already closing all schools until at least the end of the month, followed by restaurants and bars, movie theaters, malls, casinos, bowling alleys, gyms, and the closure of places of public amusement in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. Restaurants are allowed to offer takeout and or delivery of food.

The governor also ordered all nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, and other cosmetology services to close.

As more people get tested the number of positive tests keeps rising including an additional 104 new cases Sunday and three more deaths.

The spread of the virus led Lamont to order all non-essential businesses to close as of 8 p.m. Monday. He made the announcement on Friday afternoon and late Sunday released a list of which businesses could remain open and are considered "essential."

Lamont calls the program “Stay Safe, Stay Home," which is an executive order directing all non-essential businesses and not-for-profit entities in Connecticut to prohibit all in-person functions effective 8 p.m. Monday, March 23 as part of the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here Are The 'Essential' Businesses Allowed To Remain Open As Defined by Lamont's Order

Any occupation/business not listed here must not report to work/close after 8 p.m. tomorrow through April 22.

1. Essential workers in the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors, as defined by the federal Department of Homeland Security unless otherwise addressed in a prior or future executive order pertaining to the existing declared public health and civil preparedness emergency.

2. Healthcare and related operations including
biotechnology therapies
consumer health products and services
doctor and dentist offices
elder care, including adult day care
health care plans and health care data
home health care workers or aides
hospitals
manufacturing, distributing, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, including
research and development
medical marijuana dispensaries and producers
medical supplies and equipment providers, including devices, diagnostics, services, and any other healthcare related supplies or services
medical wholesale and distribution
nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
pharmacies
physical therapy and chiropractic offices
research and laboratory services, including testing and treatment of COVID-19
veterinary and animal health services
walk-in-care health facilities

3. Infrastructure including
airports/airlines
commercial trucking
dam maintenance and support
education-related functions at the primary, secondary, or higher education level to
provide support for students, including distribution of meals or faculty conducting e-learning
hotels and other places of accommodation
water and wastewater operations, systems, and businesses
telecommunications and data centers
transportation infrastructure including bus, rail, for-hire vehicles and vehicle rentals, and garages
utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission

4. All manufacturing and corresponding supply chains, including aerospace, agriculture,
and related support businesses

5. Retail including
appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health
products, or operate a pharmacy
convenience stores
gas stations
grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
guns and ammunition
hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales/repair
liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees
pharmacies
pet and pet supply stores

6. Food and agriculture, including
farms and farmer’s markets
food manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities
nurseries, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores
restaurants/bars (provided compliance with all applicable executive orders is
maintained)

7. Services including
accounting and payroll services
animal shelters or animal care or management, including boarding, grooming, pet walking and pet sitting
auto supply, repair, towing, and service, including roadside assistance
bicycle repair and service
building cleaning and maintenance
child care services
critical operations support for financial institutions
financial advisors
financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing services
funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
insurance companies
laundromats/dry cleaning
legal and accounting services
mail and shipping services
marinas and marine repair and service
news and media
real estate transactions and related services, including residential leasing and renting
religious services (subject to Executive Order 7D limiting gatherings to 50 people)
storage for Essential Businesses
trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing
warehouse/distribution, shipping, and fulfillment

8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including
food banks
homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support social service agencies

9. Construction including
all skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, and plumbers
general construction, both commercial and residential
other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
planning, engineering, design, bridge inspection, and other construction support
activities

10. Services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of all
residences and other buildings (including services necessary to secure and maintain nonessential workplaces)
building cleaners or janitors
building code enforcement
disinfection
doormen
emergency management and response
fire prevention and response
general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
home-related services, including real estate transactions, closings, appraisals, and moving services
landscaping services
law enforcement
outdoor maintenance, including pool service
pest control services
security and maintenance, including steps reasonably necessary to secure and maintain non-essential businesses
state marshals

11. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including
billboard leasing and maintenance
child care services
essential government services
government owned or leased buildings
information technology and information security
logistics
technology support

See related: CT Coronavirus: 8 Deaths, 327 Positive Cases

Homeless Man Escapes Quarantine, Found, Officials Said

12. Defense
defense and national security-related business and operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government

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How The Order Was Crafted

The guidance was developed in concert with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The governor is encouraging all businesses to employ, to the maximum extent possible any telecommuting or work-from-home procedures that they can safely implement. The order excludes any business or entity providing essential services or functions, such as healthcare, food, law enforcement, and similar critical services.

“I know this pandemic has brought disruption to all of our lives, but we need to pull together as a community and practice social distancing in order to reduce the spread of this virus and protect the wellbeing of our neighbors and our loved ones,” Lamont said. “We can’t ignore the facts, which prove that efforts like this are the best way to slow down its impact. I cannot say it enough – if you can, the best thing to do is to stay safe and stay home.”

“We are working around the clock to support our Connecticut businesses during these extremely difficult times,” DECD Commissioner David Lehman said. “Our primary goal was to support our public health objective while balancing the important needs of our citizens and the Connecticut economy. I encourage residents and business to review the guidance carefully and apply for a waiver only if they deem necessary. DECD will also be launching more assistance for small and medium businesses who are impacted by COVID19 in the coming days.”

To help businesses in Connecticut navigate the COVID-19 crisis, DECD has established the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit reachable at 860-500-2333.

Lamont's Clarification on Non-Essential Business Operations And Other Changes

Clarification of Executive Order No. 7H regarding non-essential business operations: Allows non-essential retailers to take orders remotely and sell products for curbside pickup and delivery, and allows other nonessential businesses to allow the minimum staff necessary on site to handle security, maintenance, mail, and other essential services.

Extension of time period for fire service personnel examinations: The order extends deadlines for certain fire-service examination components, so career and volunteer fire service personnel in the queue for certification testing can meet the contractual, bylaw, and probationary requirements of their employers and continue to meet critical public safety needs.

Delivery of methadone to homebound patients by methadone maintenance clinics: The order allows delivery of at-home doses of methadone to homebound drug-dependent patients who a medical professional determines are unable to travel to the treatment facility because of COVID-19. The order does not allow patients themselves to carry methadone off site.

Suspension of rehiring procedures and restrictions on temporary worker retirees (TWRs): To meet critical government staffing needs caused by COVID-19 with skilled and experienced employees who require little to no additional training, the order suspends previously enacted executive orders and public acts, temporarily removing the two-year limitation on TWRs and allowing employees who participated in retirement incentive programs to work during this emergency.

Suspension of certain real property and state contracting statutes: To expedite obtaining appropriate locations for emergency operations, the order suspends certain state contracting, leasing and procurement requirements to enter into emergency short-term leases and take other emergency measures.