Coronavirus New Canaan: 3rd Resident Dies, Town Hall Closed

NEW CANAAN, CT — Town Hall will be closed to the public beginning March 23, announced New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan on Sunday, but most essential Town employees will continue to serve the public from home.

The move follows similar decisions by communities throughout the state, due to Gov. Ned Lamont's directives in the ongoing fight to slow down the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). When New Canaan Town Hall will reopen to the public was not disclosed.

"Due to the COVID-19 Emergency in New Canaan and the State of Connecticut, and pursuant to Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7H issued on March 20th, 2020, the Town of New Canaan will take additional steps to protect its employees and residents against the further spread of the novel coronavirus," Moynihan said in a statement.

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"Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, Town Hall and other Town offices will be closed to the public, and most essential Town employees will continue to serve the public from home.

"New Canaan residents, vendors and others doing business with the Town should contact individual Town departments via telephone or email, or do their business online, if possible, at the Town’s website at www.newcanaan.info."

According to the state and area officials as of Sunday, Fairfield County has more than 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and statewide there have been at least eight deaths.

Three of the people who have died from complications from COVID-19 were New Canaan residents, according to Mike Handler, New Canaan's director of Emergency Management.

"We now have 8 confirmed positives and three of our residents have lost their lives," Handler said in a statement. "We are still in the beginning of this so please continue to thoroughly wash your hands, maintain 6-foot social distancing and avoid all social gatherings."

Handler added that the town is working on increasing its testing capacity for the virus.

"Increasing the availability of testing continues to be a priority," Handler said. "We are anticipating being able to offer significantly more drive-thru testing in New Canaan and will share our plans just as soon as they are finalized."

The town launched a drive-thru test collection site on Friday at Saxe Middle School, and tested 50 people on the first day. Testing is by appointment only for residents with symptoms, who have been screened by a doctor and who have completed the online form at www.coronatestct.com.

If a resident has difficulty contacting a New Canaan town department or finding an answer to a question on the website, they should call or email any of the following:

• Cheryl Jones 203-594-3108 cheryl.jones@newcanaanct.gov
• Pam Flynn 203-594-3000 pam.flynn@newcanaanct.gov
• Mimi Pitt 203-594-3001 mimi.pitt@newcanaanct.gov

"We appreciate your cooperation during this difficult time," Moynihan added. "We urge all residents to Stay Home and Stay Safe."