Hand Sanitizing Mandatory To Enter Stamford City Buildings: Mayor

STAMFORD, CT — Security officers will be monitoring if people sanitize their hands when they enter city buildings in response to the spread of the new Coronavirus. In a statement released Friday, Martin announced "extensive" preventative measures are being put in place to protect residents from the virus.

As of this week, there have been no reports of any such cases regarding the virus, now referred to as COVID-19, in Stamford or in the state of Connecticut.

"A storm is coming in the form of this flu-like disease, COVID-19," Martin said in a statement. "We hope this storm will blow itself out, but we clearly have an emerging emergency situation. There is a lot of uncertainty about the exact nature of this virus, but we know enough to take it seriously and to take action now."

Martin said he met with public health officials and city department heads throughout the week
to discuss prevention measures.

Additionally, Martin said he has requested a $250,000 appropriation from the city's boards of finance and representatives to "fund additional expenses necessary for these preventative measures."

The city has coordinated with janitorial staff for additional cleaning of all city buildings, including Stamford public schools, Martin said. Cleaning crews will prioritize sanitizing "high-touch areas," such as doorknobs, hand railings, doors and other surfaces or items that are often used by a lot of people every day.

Effective Monday, March 9, Stamford will implement the following preventative measures for city-owned buildings, including the Stamford Government Center:

• Sanitizer Stations Implemented: Buildings have been equipped with hand sanitizer stations at their entrances and at elevator lobbies with instructions on proper use of hand sanitizer.

• Sanitizing Is Mandatory: Residents and staff are instructed to use hand sanitizer prior to entering a public building. This policy will be enforced by onsite security personnel.

• How To Wash Hands: Signs has been posted in public bathrooms with instructions on proper hand-washing standards. Residents should use soap and water for 20 seconds, and increase the frequency of hand-washing, especially before eating, after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.

• Signs Have Been Posted: Building entrances have signage instructing visitors presenting with symptoms to delay visiting the building until symptoms go away and to immediately contact their medical provider (all signs have been posted in both English and Spanish).

• Sick Employees Sent Home: City employees who report to work with acute respiratory illness symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or who become sick during the work day will be sent home until they are free of fever and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours.

Martin said these measures have been put in place in addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's general prevention guidelines, which can be found here. These measures include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when you are sick and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.

The city currently does not believe there is cause to consider closing public buildings or schools.

"The city of Stamford will communicate if that assessment changes as this situation develops," city officials said in a statement. "Stamford's community has not faced this exact type of threat before and residents should be prepared for new challenges requiring new responses that may include closing transportation, businesses, schools or extended period with limited access to public buildings."

Face Masks

The CDC does not recommend people who are well to wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont said that the state is ready for the virus, but also admitted that there was a shortage of personal protective gear (masks). Nevertheless, Lamont said that residents do not need to panic.

See also: Official Warns CT Not Ready For Coronavirus, Governor Disagrees

"I feel like Connecticut is a little ahead of the game," Lamont said last week.

Flu Shots

The city health department will be offering free flu vaccines on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Stamford Government Center (888 Washington Boulevard, 6th floor).

Early Detection System

Although there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in Stamford or Connecticut, the city health department has instituted an "early detection system" for COVID-19 and is conducting case investigations as needed.

The department has also activated Stamford's Incident Command System, a management system designed to streamline and coordinate communication across multiple departments in the event of emergencies.

Schools

Stamford public schools have provided CDC prevention guidelines to parents and staff. Additionally, international travel for school trips to high-risk countries have been canceled, including Board of Education-sponsored international study-abroad trips.

Schools are also strongly encouraging students of all ages to wash hands frequently, especially before meals. Hand washing is monitored by school staff and "will adapt as needed to assure students have time to properly wash hands," city officials said.

Public Safety and Emergency Management

The Offices of Public Safety and Emergency Management continue to coordinate with community organizations, faith-based organizations and schools to provide guidance for prevention measures.

"Emergency Management is closely monitoring supply chain demands to identify and mitigate impacts on the city of Stamford," city officials said, "as well as tracking agency resource requests while working with the Department of Health, state and federal partners to prioritize and coordinate resource requests as necessary."

Businesses

City officials are working with the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfield Business Council to communicate information to business owners on how to prepare for potentially decreased business activity and provide guidance for when to send employees home sick.

For More Information

All information about the status of COVID-19 in the City of Stamford can be found on the city's website. Residents can also call the public safety office's hotline at 203-977-8840 for a recorded message, updated daily, on the status of the virus in Stamford.

Questions relating to persons suspected of having the virus, or for questions about COVID-19 testing, can be directed to the city health department at 203-977-4398 during business hours, or at 203-977-555 after business hours.

Questions relating to schools can be directed to 203-977-4378. Questions relating to restaurants, hotels, motels, rooming house, or pools can be directed to 203-977-4363.