Coronavirus Hamden: Gathering Ban Issued

HAMDEN, CT — Gatherings of more than 10 people have been banned in Hamden following an executive order signed by Mayor Curt Balzano Leng on Thursday. Leng, along with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, signed an emergency order in an effort to “aggressively halt” the spread of the new coronavirus.

The order states that effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, March 20 through April 20, gatherings of “more than 10 people for social and recreational activities, including, but not limited to, community, civic, leisure or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; movie screenings; plays or performances; conventions; and any similar activities are prohibited in the Town of Hamden.”

The provisions of this order “shall not apply to child care centers excluded from closing under Mayor’s Executive Order #1 and will also not apply for child care centers for more than 12 children of health care providers or public safety officials.”

“When health officials specifically recommend actions to reduce exposure and slow the spread of this virus, we have a sworn duty as municipal leaders to listen and take proactive actions to help protect the health and safety of our residents,” Leng said. “This is a serious situation, and it requires serious and severe actions to ensure the safety of our communities at large.

“I am proud to be working in conjunction with the local leaders that are taking added prevention steps, reducing inessential contact will literally save lives. Governor Lamont has been a leader in taking this serious as a state and has encouraged local leaders to take actions we feel best for our local communities and together we are a strong team.”

Elicker said, “Municipal chief executives across the state are deeply concerned about the health of their residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have over 10,000 cases in the country and are seeing our first deaths from the virus in Connecticut. These orders are to be taken seriously across the city.”

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