CT Coronavirus: Restaurants, Bars, Casinos, Gyms, Theaters Closed

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut on Monday joined New York and New Jersey in announcing mass closures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Bars, restaurants, casinos, movie theaters, gyms will close at 8 p.m. Monday in all three states, Govs. Ned Lamont, Andrew Cuomo and Phil Murphy announced during a news conference. Restaurants may remain open for take-out and delivery orders.

The closures are in effect until further notice.

"We must do everything we can as a community to slow the spread of this virus so that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system and we protect the most vulnerable," Lamont said. "Viruses do not know borders, which is why taking a regional approach on this issue is the best plan forward. A national approach to these measures would be the best option to slow and mitigate the spread of this virus."

The three governors said that there will be no crowds, gatherings of more than 50 are prohibited and that all bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms and movie theaters will close tonight at 8 p.m.

Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open. Nonessential travel is discouraged.

Cuomo said the"federal government has to do a better job than they've been doing. Behind from day one. He said there will not be enough hospital beds. He said the state from the city to small towns are all on the same page."

Lamont said the federal government has been "asleep at the wheel" and it's been left to states to lead.

Tribal casinos, like Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, are sovereign and it's up to them if they close. Lamont said he's encouraging them to abide.

Connecticut restaurant owners are worried

Jim Triantis, owner of East Haven’s legendary Twin Pines Diner, is afraid. Afraid for his business and for his dozens of workers and their families. And he’s worried too about his customers, the vast majority of whom are elderly.

“They don’t cook," Triantis told Patch. "How will they eat?”

The sense of urgency and worry could be heard in his voice. He said there hasn't been a disaster like this in the restaurant's 40 years.

"My God, this is devastating," he said. "It’s all coming so fast. I didn’t expect it. None of us did.

"So many older people depend on us. We’d like to stay open for them. They are the center of my business, people 60 and up. They come every day. Who is going to cook for them? And what about my employees? I have 20, 30 families that rely on their job. Who’s going to pay my rent? My bills? The $20,000 worth of food I’ll have to throw away?"

When asked if Twin Pines Diner could provide delivery, Triantis said with no drivers, he's not even sure how that would work. When a reporter suggested delivery services like Uber Eats and GrubHub, for example, he said it would all have to be figured out.

"Our customers come to us," he said, adding they'll do what they need to do to adjust.

"It's just terrible for us, for everyone that this is happening," he said.

On the state website that provides updates on coronavirus, or COVID-19, there's guidance for workers, employers and small businesses.

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Connecticut residents must practice social distancing, governor says

Meanwhile, Lamont said Sunday that to further enforce social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus, he said Connecticut residents should refrain from gathering in crowds of 150 or more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Sunday night said groups of 50 or more should be canceled or postponed and people age 60 and over should avoid crowds altogether.

Connecticut schools closed

Lamont on Sunday closed all public schools in Connecticut from March 17 through at least March 31 to mitigate the spread of coronavirus as more cases were announced in the state.

"I am ordering all public schools statewide to cancel classes beginning Tuesday, March 17 through at least March 31," Lamont said during a news conference on the lawn at his residence Sunday night. "This date may be extended if determined necessary."

About 90 percent of Connecticut public schools were already closed amid the outbreak. Lamont said on CNN Monday morning that some superintendents were reluctant to do so. That changed with his order.

Students who receive meals through the school lunch/breakfast program will continue to get breakfast and lunch using a drive-thru method to pick up those meals. Lamont said on CNN that students whose families do not have cars will get meals.

"We'll figure that out," Lamont said.

Student education will continue he said as the state is working with internet education companies to provide online education modules.

Coronavirus cases in Connecticut

As of Sunday night, six more Connecticut residents tested positive for coronavirus, bringing to total to 26. Fairfield County has the most cases, Lamont said. Here is the breakdown by county:

• Fairfield County: 16 cases
• Litchfield County: 4
• Hartford County: 3
• New Haven County: 3

Help for Connecticut small businesses

There's guidance for workers, employers and small businesses.

Small business in the state will be able to to file for economic disaster assistance, including access to low-interest loans, Lamont said.

He submitted a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration asking the federal agency to issue a declaration for Connecticut small business owners to receive disaster loans. Officials hope the measures benefit the business community, which has been distressed amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

State tax authority extends some deadlines

Consistent with the emergency declarations signed by Lamont, the state Department of Revenue Services granted automatic extensions for certain state tax return deadlines as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective immediately, the filing deadlines for certain tax returns due on or after March 15 and before June 1 are extended by 30 days. The payments associated with these returns are also extended to the corresponding due date in June.

Pharmacies can make, sell hand sanitizer

In reaction to a national shortage of hand sanitizer on the market, Lamont issued an executive order that — among other things — permits pharmacies to manufacture and sell their own hand sanitizer to the public. The state Department of Consumer Protection, responding to the governor’s action, issued an implementation order that outlines the rules pharmacies need to follow during the production process to ensure the public's safety.

Out-of-work residents can get health insurance

State Office of Health Strategy Executive Director Vicki Veltri reminded workers who received health insurance through their employer and lost their jobs due to coronavirus or other factors have an option to maintain insurance. If a worker loses minimum coverage or receives COBRA benefits, the worker qualifies year-round for open enrollment through AccessHealthCT, the state’s health insurance marketplace. Find more information at learn.accesshealthct.com/special.

Latest Connecticut coronavirus information

For the most up-to-date information from the state on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, residents in the state are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment. The hotline only intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider to seek treatment.

Since last week, these are the measures Connecticut has taken in response to the coronavirus outbreak:

Lamont signed executive orders that:

• Relax in-person open meeting requirements to minimize large gatherings, with safeguards to provide remote public access.
• Authorize refunds of liquor permit fees for special events that have since been canceled.
• Waive face-to-face interview requirements for Temporary Family Assistance.
• Authorize the Commissioner of Early Childhood to waive certain licensing and other requirements to maintain and increase the availability of childcare.
• Authorize the Office of Health Strategy to waive certificates of need and other requirements to ensure adequate availability of health care resources and facilities.

Lamont also directed telework be expanded for certain executive branch state employees, allowing more employees to work from home. He also provided 14 days of paid time off for executive branch state employees who cannot report to work due to coronavirus.

Also, service changes were announced for Shore Line East and the Hartford Line, the Connecticut National Guard is aiding the state with requests for assistance, and internet providers are focusing on expanding web access to families as schools and businesses are closed.