Closure Of Nonessential Businesses In CT Extended By Lamont

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont extended the closure of all nonessential businesses in the state until May 20, which coincides with how long schools were ordered closed as well.

Nonessential businesses had been ordered closed until April 20. Lamont said the May 20 date could be extended again to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

The ordinance covers the following businesses: restaurants, bars, private club operations, onsite operations at off-track betting facilities, gyms, sports, fitness, recreation facilities, movie theaters, large shopping malls, and places of public amusement. Again, restaurant and bars are allowed to offer takeout and delivery service if they choose to.

"Large shopping malls" means the Brass Mill Center in Waterbury, the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, the Crystal Mall in Waterford, the Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, the Stamford Town Center in Stamford, The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester, the SoNo Collection in Norwalk, Westfanns Mall in Farmington, the Westfield Mall in Meriden, and the Westfield Mall in Trumbull.

And "place of public amusement" is defined as "locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, and other family and children's amusement attractions shall be closed to the public. This directive shall not apply to public parks and open recreation areas."

The ordinance also extends the prohibition on social and recreational gatherings of more than five people. See related: Coronavirus CT: 'Essential' Businesses Defined By Lamont

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The order also extends until May 20:

"Further Restrictions on Retail Operations. Any retail establishment that has been allowed to remain open and permit customers inside such establishment during this public health and civil preparedness emergency shall take appropriate and reasonable measures to ensure customers maintain six feet of distance between each other, and to manage any resulting lines to maintain such distance while people are waiting to enter, and where reasonably practical, employ touchless payment technology if they already have such technology available."

Lamont this week made it clear that there is no guarantee that the ordinance will be rescinded on May 20 and he said it's possible it could be extended further. He said the state will not return to normal until health experts say it is safe to do so and added ramping up testing will also be a key part in the return to normalcy.

Lamont said Friday he envisions workers being tested before they return to work.

The state has received more than 300,000 unemployment claims and processed about 135,000. The backlog for claims to be processed is about six weeks, officials said.

See related: CT Coronavirus Updates: Lamont's 'Medical Surge' Plan Detailed

Gov. Lamont's Latest Executive Order Deals With Food Trucks

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