Coronavirus Greenwich: Travel Restricted For Town Employees

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo announced Wednesday that, effective immediately, all out of state travel by town employees is restricted, and all previously approved out-of-state travel is rescinded as the state, and the nation, grapples with the new coronavirus.

Additionally, if out-of-state travel is required, approval must be resubmitted to the Office of the First Selectman for review, Camillo said.

"Regarding in-state travel, that travel will be allowed," Camillo said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the situation statewide daily and reassess accordingly."

As of Wednesday afternoon, three Connecticut residents and two hospital employees have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, however none have been reported in Greenwich. (Don't miss updates in Connecticut concerning the Coronavirus as they are announced. To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

One Wilton resident tested positive on Sunday, and the second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, state officials announced that an elderly man from New Canaan tested positive for the virus. They also issued a stern warning that the number of cases is expected to significantly increase over the next week.

The two hospital employees are both New York residents and work at Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport hospitals. COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

"Going forward, I will hold daily meetings for updates on COVID-19 and the town's response with health, public works, parks and recreation, police and fire departments, as well as the Board of Education and the Emergency Management Operations Director," Camillo said. "The OFS will provide daily email updates to town department heads."

Camillo advised any employee who is feeling sick, or has a sick family member in their home, to stay home.

"If you have not had a flu shot, please consider getting one," Camillo said. "While it will not prevent anyone from contracting COVID-19, it will prevent someone from developing both the flu and COVID-19."

Camilo said town departments have the option to consider imposing requirements that visitors use hand sanitizer when entering said department. He also thanked both employees and residents for their continued support of the town's "collaborative efforts to curtail the spread of this virus to keep both our employees and residents safe and healthy."

See also: Greenwich First Selectman Provides Update On Coronavirus

• Coronavirus Greenwich: Private Schools To Hold Remote Learning
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Schools Cancelling Large Events

Last week, Camillo said he has established a group consisting of the heads of many town department, including the Board of Education, who are working on a plan to help the keep town programs functional should they be interrupted by the virus.

The first selectman also provided a list of protocols town officials urge residents to follow in response to the spread of the virus, including avoiding handshaking and touching things like light switches and elevator buttons.

Residents are also advised to wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon returning home from any activity that involves locations where other people have been.

More protocols recommended by town officials can be found here.

Residents can also find up-to-date information about the virus on both the town health department and the CDC websites.