Josh Elliott

A county-by-county breakdown includes: 
 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, click here.

Employees of five state agencies to begin receiving mandatory COVID-19 testing

Employees of five Connecticut state agencies who have frequent contact with constituents in congregate settings, hospitals, and nursing homes have been identified by the agencies and the Office of Labor Relations, under the guidance of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, as meeting the requirements to receive mandatory COVID-19 testing. The testing is being required to ensure the safety of state employees who work in these settings, as well as the constituents who receive the services.

The identified agencies include the Department of Correction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Developmental Services. Decisions on which employees in these agencies will receive mandatory testing will be based on the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Staff who have been identified for mandatory testing are in the process of being notified.

The plan is as follows:
Effective June 17:

• Indoor private gatherings – 25 people
• Outdoor gatherings – 100 people
• Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks) – 25% of fire capacity and distancing (consistent with outdoor amusement parks)

Effective July 3:

• Indoor private gatherings – 25 people
• Outdoor private gatherings – 100 people, one time exception for graduations at 150 people
• Outdoor organized gatherings (e.g. fireworks, concerts in municipal parks) – 15 feet of space blanket to blanket, cap of 500 people; event organizer responsible for compliance with guidance
• Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks) – 25% of fire capacity and distancing

Effective mid-July (date to be determined):

• Indoor private gatherings – 50 people
• Outdoor private gatherings (including graduations) – 250 people
• Outdoor organized gatherings (e.g. fireworks, concerts in municipal parks) – 15 feet of space blanket to blanket, no cap; event organizer responsible for compliance with guidance
• Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks) – 50% of fire capacity and distancing

The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which was signed into law on June 5th, eases some of the restrictions on how businesses use and pay back the loans they receive from the Paycheck Protections Program.

According to a release from David Lehman, the head of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), key changes to the PPP include the following:

• Extends the period to use PPP funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks
• Reduces from 75% to 60% the amount a company must spend on payroll
• Borrowers may now use the 24-week period to fully restore their workforce levels and wages (December 31 instead of June 30)
• Businesses now have five years to repay the loan, instead of two

If you or someone you know owns a small business and would like more information on these recent changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, click here.

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