New Canaan Coronavirus Update: Town Preps Phase 1 Reopening

NEW CANAAN, CT — The town is preparing to begin Gov. Ned Lamont's Phase 1 reopening plan on May 20, and New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan says that barriers will be installed on Elm, Main and Forest streets to facilitate outdoor dining.

Moynihan made the remarks in an address Friday evening on the town's website, but added that "no streets will be fully closed and most on-street parking will remain" throughout the area.

"The Town has been working with merchants and restauranteurs to help them prepare for the safeguards they will need to meet for the protection of their customers and employees," Moynihan wrote.

In addition to barriers, the town also will suspend ("for the indefinite future") all parking fees in the downtown lots.

Face masks or coverings will be required outdoors and indoors downtown, and senior citizens are urged to continue to stay home for their safety. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

As of Friday, the town had 29 coronavirus-related deaths, according to state health officials. The updated number of confirmed cases in town was not available, but was 206 as of Monday, said Emergency Management Director Mike Handler.

Statewide, there were 3,285 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday, an increase of 66 over the previous day. The number of confirmed cases was 36,085, an increase of 621. Hospitalizations for the virus dropped by 70 on Friday to 1,033.

Below is the text from Moynihan's Friday announcement:

Good evening.

This is First Selectman Kevin Moynihan on Friday evening, May 15th, with a coronavirus update.

We appear to be on track for re-opening of Downtown retail stores, restaurants and offices on or soon after next Wednesday, May 20th, in accordance with Governor Lamont’s Phase 1 Re-Opening CT Plan.

The Town has been working with merchants and restauranteurs to help them prepare for the safeguards they will need to meet for the protection of their customers and employees.

While we will be erecting some street barriers on Elm, Main and Forest Streets to allow for outdoor dining on sidewalks, no streets will be fully closed and most on-street parking will remain.

To help our merchants and restaurants get back up and running, parking in the Downtown public lots will be free for the indefinite future.

While this is a bit of a turning point in the initial wave of this coronavirus pandemic, it is by no means a return to normal. It would be a mistake to think that we are out of the woods from the dangers of this highly transmittable virus, especially for elderly residents. For this reason, the Governor’s guidance continues to be that senior citizens should continue to stay safe at home, and let younger people grocery shop, pick up Rx prescriptions and restaurant meals for them.

For the same reason, it is important to understand that Downtown New Canaan will be an area where face coverings or masks will be required outdoors as well as inside stores, restaurants and offices because it will be impossible to maintain required 6-foot social distancing on walkways. We’re counting on our residents to comply with this simple, common sense requirement at all ages except for very young children. And in all parts of town, you should always carry a mask or face covering and wear it when needed to protect others as they will do to protect you.

Please note that Town Hall will remain closed to residents and visitors until sometime in June, but Town staff will continue to be easily available by phone and email and there is a drop-box at the door for documents that need to be filed.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all graduating college seniors and graduate school students from New Canaan. America needs your talents and enthusiasm to help rebuild our economy from this historic pandemic. Best wishes to you all for the future.

Please stay safe and remember it is up to all of us to protect our friends and loved ones. Stay strong
New Canaan.

Kevin J. Moynihan
First Selectman