Yesterday, Governor Lamont announced an extension to the closure of Connecticut’s public schools. They will be closed until May, 20th. However, as new information and data becomes available on COVID-19 the state may extend the school closure to an even later date.
The Connecticut Department of Labor has issued a shorter FAQ document to specifically answer unemployment insurance filing questions. This document included contact phone numbers for workforce partner agencies that can help answer basic information about unemployment benefits.
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) issued a statement warning Connecticut residents of faux ‘work from home’ employment schemes. In addition, DCP has issued warnings about potential profiteering schemes, false charity scams, and phishing attacks.
The DCP has created a resource page with information and instructions on how to report incidences of potential fraud.
As part of the state’s effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Lamont has issued a number of executive orders to ensure workplace safety for workers and customers. These executive orders include “Stay Safe, Stay Home” which mandated the closure of in-person non-essential business and “Safe Stores” which mandated social distancing procedures in retail establishments. His latest order issued earlier this week outlined “Safe Workplace” rules for those essential employers that remain open.
Below are a few key examples of the mandated guidelines:
Essential employees who are able to work from home should be working from home.
Eliminate all non-essential workplace travel.
Control access to external visitors.
Develop and implement practices for social distancing.
Eliminate in-person meetings.
Deliver products through curbside pick-up or delivery (when possible)
The full guidelines are available from the Department of Economic and Community Development:
Yesterday, state agencies including representatives from the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Insurance Department, the Department of Banking, and the Small Business Administration held a conference call with small business owners to discuss the coronavirus outbreak and resources for economic recovery. Listen to the call below:
The Legislative Office Building and State Capitol will continue to be closed until April 23rd. During this time legislators and staff will continue to work from home. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have about the state’s coronavirus response or issues working with state agencies.
