Latest Greenwich Coronavirus Updates

GREENWICH, CT — The new coronavirus outbreak in Connecticut and across the nation is having vast impacts in Greenwich, including the closure of schools and many businesses. The number of cases of the illness caused by the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional measures and closures continue to be announced.

The governor has declared a 'Stay Safe, Stay Home' program. All non-life-sustaining businesses in Connecticut have been closed. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

As of Friday, there were 1,291 positive cases of coronavirus in Connecticut, including 77 confirmed cases in Greenwich as of Friday morning, according to numbers released by town officials. Greenwich Health Director Caroline Baisley also noted however there could be fewer cases than that, as not all of the positive results indicated by the state Friday may be Greenwich residents.

A total of 27 people in Connecticut have died as a result of COVID-19. >>>See statewide updates and news here

Here are the latest local updates from Greenwich:

Greenwich officials have taken a number of steps to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus. On Sunday, March 22, First Selectman Fred Camillo ordered all town parks and beaches closed to the public until further notice.

The closure includes but is not limited to tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball fields, school grounds and open spaces. Bathrooms at all recreational facilities are also closed.

The 10th annual Greenwich Town Party has been postponed "after careful consideration" to protect the "health, safety and best interests" of residents, event partners and musicians, event officials recently announced. The celebration, originally scheduled to be held Saturday, May 23, will now be moved to a yet to be determined Saturday in August.

Town officials have provided a list of events that have either been canceled or postponed in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus. Among the list of events is the Greenwich Newcomer's Club Easter Egg Hunt, which town officials said has been cancelled.

The Greenwich Half Marathon, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26, has also been postponed, according to the list.

Here is a list of town Parks and Recreation Department programs cancelled for spring 2020, according to town officials:

• Spring Swim Activity # 10702 and # 107021, all sections
• Co-ed T-ball Activity # 10405, sections 1 and 2
• Small Fry I Baseball Activity # 10405, section 3
• Small Fry II Baseball Activity # 10401
• Junior Baseball Activity # 10402, all sections
• Girls Softball Junior Division Activity # 105011
• Girls Softball Babe Ruth Activity # 10501, all sections
• Spring Fever Skate Jam Activity # 20206 (no fee)
• Spring Skateboard Clinics Activity # 11302, sections 25 and 26
• Mighty Mites Soccer Activity # 10302, all sections
• Soccer Extreme (fee paid to Soccer Extreme)
• Indoor Pickleball at EGCC Activity # 11203
• Pickleball Outdoor Clinic Activity # 11205
• Outdoor Pickleball Activity # 11207
• Kite Flying Festival

Additionally, here is a list of other special events run by private organizations already cancelled or postponed, according to town officials:

• Greenwich Newcomer's Club Easter Egg Hunt - cancelled
• India Cultural Center of Greenwich Holi Festival - cancelled
• Greenwich Half Marathon - postponed
• North Mianus School PTA Carnival - postponed
• YMCA Gala Fundraiser - postponed
• Greenwich Town Party - postponed
• Concours D'Elegance and Bonhams Auction – cancelled
• Shellfish Commission Experience the Sound – cancelled
• GEMS Kids Triathlon – cancelled
• ALS Tri State Trek - cancelled

Schools

Gov. Ned Lamont recently said schools would not re-open until April 20 at the earliest. As of Friday afternoon, the district calendar posted on the Greenwich Public Schools website indicates students will have Good Friday, April 10, as well as Monday, April 13, off from school.

The spring break, originally scheduled for April 13-17, has been shortened after the town's Board of Education voted during a virtual meeting Thursday night to change the schedule and allow more time for distance learning, according to the Greenwich Time.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: Schools Shorten Spring Break

Train Station Building Closure

At the request of Metro-North Railroad and with the concurrence of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Greenwich Train Station building is closed to the public indefinitely, effective at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 24.

This decision was made because the waiting room has an elevator, which does not allow for the minimum of six feet for safe social distancing, according to Camillo. An advisory will be posted on the building doors to direct patrons to the Track 4 side of the complex. Patrons needing elevator access to Track 3, should utilize the pedestrian bridge crossing.

The town-operated stations in Cos Cob, Riverside and Old Greenwich remain closed to the public. These building closures do not impact train schedules.

"As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, it is imperative that we deploy any measure which will help reduce the virus infection," Camillo said in a statement. "I recognize the inconvenience to anyone who is using the railroad system. At this point, I expect the disruption will be minimal because of the governor's order closing so many non-essential businesses."

Businesses

Camillo urges residents to help support local businesses who continue to operate. The Greenwich Chamber of Commerce has compiled a listing of food-related businesses that are offering take-out and delivery services, which can be found here.

He also reminded residents to practice the recommended six-foot social distancing whether shopping or outdoors.

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.

Here are other important updates regarding the virus in Greenwich:

• Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: List Of Events Canceled, Postponed
  
• Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: Budget Meetings Rescheduled
  
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Hospital Readies For Influx Of Patients
• Greenwich Film Festival To Hold Inaugural Virtual Festival
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Restaurant Launches Employee Relief Fund
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Schools Consider Shortening Spring Break
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Town Party Postponed
• Greenwich Coronavirus: All Town Parks And Beaches To Close
  
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Libraries Closed Until Further Notice