On March 20, Governor Ned Lamont announced that as part of the ongoing civil preparedness and public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he is directing Connecticut residents to “Stay Safe, Stay at Home.”

Under the executive order, the governor is directing all non-essential businesses and not-for-profit entities in Connecticut to prohibit all in-person functions if they are able to. The governor is encouraging all businesses to employ, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work-from-home procedures that they can safely implement.

The order excludes any essential business or entity providing essential services or functions, such as healthcare, food service, law enforcement and similar critical services.

“At this critical time, it is essential that everyone just stay home so we can contain the spread of this virus while keeping essential services running,” Governor Lamont said. “I know that this will be disruptive to many and will bring many daily activities to a halt, but the only way we will be able to mitigate the impacts of this public health emergency is to take measures like this. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation, and I especially want to thank the essential workers who are needed to keep critical services running.”

The governor is calling this action his “Stay Safe, Stay Home” initiative. The plan recommends that state residents do the following:

• All non-essential businesses statewide should close;
• Non-essential public community gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason should be canceled (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
• If you must leave your home, do not travel in groups - groups must be limited to workers providing essential services;
• Everyone should keep at least six feet away from each other whenever possible;
• Businesses and entities that provide other essential services should implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
• Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities in which they come in close contact with other people;
• Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
• Sick individuals should not leave their home except to fill critical needs or to receive medical care, and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
• Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
• Use precautionary sanitizing practices, such as using soap and water, hand sanitizer or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds works best.

"Stay Safe, Stay Home." remains in effect until May 20, unless modified. Other executive orders that are in effect in the state include:

• Travelers: Any person coming into Connecticut by any mode of transportation for any reason is strongly urged to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Gatherings: All social and recreational gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited. This includes things such as sports, parades, concerts, festivals, live performances and conventions. Religious, spiritual and worship gatherings of more than 49 are prohibited. This remains in effect through April 30, unless modified.

NOTE: For those holding events further than 8 weeks out, please check for updated information and guidelines to ensure that your event is permitted to be held by reaching out to the state’s COVID-19 email: COVID19.jic@ct.gov, or the COVID-19 website: ct.gov/coronavirus.

• Food establishments: Restaurants and bars that serve food are required to provide take-out and delivery services for off-premise consumption only. These establishments must limit entrance of customers to the minimum extent necessary to pick up and/or pay for orders, and use touchless payment if available. This order remains in effect through May 20, unless modified.
• Retail establishments: Stores that are permitted to stay open under the "Stay Safe, Stay Home" executive order must limit occupancy to allow for six-foot distancing between all people, including in payment lines. They must also use touchless payment if available.
• Gyms, movie theaters, hair and nail salons: All gyms, fitness centers, and similar sports venues; theaters and cinemas; and hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors are closed until April 30, unless modified.
• Schools: Classes at all public schools are canceled through May 20, unless modified.

In the first week of April, the governor has also instituted “Safe Store Rules.” The order is effective April 3, 2020. It goes as follows:

Protecting Employees and Customers

Occupancy, store layout, and managing customer flow

• Occupancy capped at 50% of store capacity. At entrances, staff will maintain a count of the number of customers entering and exiting stores.
• Clearly mark 6-foot spacing in lines on floor at checkout lines and other high-traffic areas and, as much as practicable, provide ways to encourage 6-foot spacing in lines outside the store.
• Post conspicuous signage and floor markings to direct customers and limit bottlenecks and/or encourage spacing and flow in high-density areas.
• Have aisles be one-way in stores where practicable to maximize spacing between customers. Identify the one-way aisles with conspicuous signage and/or floor markings.
• Maximize space between customers and employees at checkout lines, including, but not limited to, only using every other checkout line, where and when possible.
• Install Plexiglas shields to separate employees from customers at checkout lines and other areas in the store where practicable.

General

• Communicate with customers through in store signage, and public service announcements and advertisements. There should only be one person per household during shopping trips, whenever possible.
• Discontinue all self-serve foods (e.g., salad bar, olive bar) and product sampling.
• Allow “touchless” credit card transactions. If not possible, sanitize credit card machines (including pen) regularly and consistently.
• Cart and basket handles sanitized between uses (by staff).
• Wherever possible, employees will wear gloves and face masks at all times that they are interacting with customers and/or handling products.

For updated information and guidelines visit the state’s COVID-19 website: www.ct.gov/coronavirus.