New Haven Issues Childcare Emergency Order

NEW HAVEN, CT — New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker issued an emergency order that will close child care centers that provide services for more than 12 children in the city.

The order includes a stipulation that allows centers with more than 12 children to provide services for children whose parent or legal guardian is a healthcare provider.

“In a continued effort to protect the health of our residents, I am ordering that all daycare and childcare centers close as a result of the growing public health emergency surrounding COVID-19. We are still allowing childcare facilities to provide care for healthcare workers,” stated Mayor Elicker. “We have already closed public schools to prevent people from gathering. While children appear to be less likely to get seriously sick, they still can spread the virus, and therefore we believe it is critical from a public health perspective to close daycare and childcare centers as well. I realize that this will add another burden to families and care providers. We have weighed this risk and strongly believe this is the right public health decision. We are in a State of Emergency in New Haven,” reminded Mayor Elicker, “and it is critical that we limit interaction with others, promote social distancing, and keep our children from congregating in large crowds.”