The Laurel is chronicling the major news concerning coronavirus in Connecticut. Follow along as the coverage continues, one day at a time. Connect with us on Twitter, @TheLaurelCT.
Here are the major news updates from today:
- Governor Lamont signed an executive order April 17 that enacts the following: Cloth face coverings or higher level of protection required in public wherever close contact is unavoidable and the postponement of presidential preference primary to August 11.
- “A Greenwich criminal attorney who says fear about the coronavirus has been exaggerated filed a federal lawsuit Saturday challenging Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order,” according to the Hartford Courant.
- “The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) formally announced Saturday it has formed partnerships with online personal finance company SoFi and credit-reporting agency Equifax to expedite the processing and payments of the state’s emergency bridge loan program,” according to New Haven Biz.
- Gov. Lamont has laid out criteria necessary to reopen the state: a 14-day decline of cases and hospitalizations; mass testing, contact tracing and self-isolation; adequate PPE and healthcare; and a continuation of social distancing practices are some of the key criteria. The three main strategies of reopening under consideration are: opening by region, by industry and/or by age/risk groups. The reopening advisory group includes former Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi and Department Chair and Professor of Epidemiology at Yale Dr. Albert Ko.
- RiteAid to provide self-swab COVID-19 testing in seven states including CT. More here.
- CVS, in partnership with Abbott Laboratories, opened a rapid testing site in New Haven at 60 Sargent Drive, the former Gateway Community College. New Haven Register has more.
- Relief measures for residential renters in CT can be found here.
- You can find the Governor’s safe workplace rules for essential businesses here.
- The Hartford Courant has a special remembrance page for those who died in CT. Hearst CT Media Group also has a page dedicated to the lives lost from COVID-19.
- “The Connecticut Historical Society needs your help documenting life during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The Hartford Courant has more.
- Brewery, winery and other liquor permit holders may now home deliveries now available per the Governor’s executive order. Hartford Business Journal has more.
- DEEP has released stricter guidelines in response to the high volume of visitors at state parks and trails. More information from DEEP here. Because people are finding it difficult to maintain effective social distancing measures at certain public parks, DEEP has been announcing various closures as needed on social media.
- For information about the CT Dept. of Banking’s 90-day grace period for mortgages, visit the state site here.
- Gov. Lamont has asked the private sector to help supply the state with personal protective equipment (PPE). The state’s request for PPE can be found here.
- Volunteers are needed around the state. Find out more information here.
Positive COVID19 tests to date: 17,962
For ongoing coverage on all things CT newsrooms and coronavirus, visit our special coverage page.
