Bob Godfrey

Here is the July 16, 2020 update from Governor Ned Lamont regarding the state's coronavirus response efforts:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

Watch Governor Lamont's news briefing below:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

I am sharing updates from the week below as well...

To help you and our neighbors stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving stream of information related to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, my office and I are working to provide news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

• CT's Temporary Housing Assistance Initiatives Began Wednesday
• Regional Travel Advisory Updated
• Special Session Slated for Next Week
• Police Accountability Bill Proposed

CT's Temporary Housing Assistance Initiatives Began Wednesday

As of July 15, Connecticut's Temporary Rental Housing Assistance (TRHAP) and Temporary-Mortgage Assistance (T-MAP) Programs are now available.

Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program:

• Initial priority for TRHAP assistance will be targeted at individuals and families who have been denied unemployment assistance from the Department of Labor. Potential applicants will be directed to a Centralized Call Center for Threshold eligibility, after which a detailed application must be completed.
• Individuals who are unemployed or under-employed and who have not yet filed for unemployment assistance should file for as soon as possible.
• Individuals who would like to speak to a Call Center Representative to determine their eligibility for TRHAP assistance can call 1-860-785-3111.

Temporary-Mortgage Assistance Program:

• The program will provide up to $10,000 in emergency loan funds for low and moderate income homeowners to pay their housing costs.
• Eligible households with incomes at or below 120 percent of the area median income will be eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in the form of a second mortgage loan.
• Individuals who would like to speak with a Call Center Representative to determine their eligibility and apply should call 1-860-785-3111.

Further information about either program is available on the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority website, here.

More States Added to Regional Travel Advisory

The regional travel advisory between Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York that went into effect in June now includes 22 states. Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin were added recently, and Delaware has been removed.

The advisory directs incoming travelers from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a 14-day period.

As of Tuesday the advisory includes the following 22 states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin

The travel advisory is updated on regularly. Updates and additional information are available her.

Special Session Slated For Next Week

The Connecticut General Assembly will hold a historic special session next week. Using video conferencing technology, staggered debates, and social distancing, legislators will be able to fulfill their elected duties while also following safety guidelines and recommendations. A date has yet to be set for the Special Session, but my office will keep you updated as more details become available.

Police Accountability Proposal Up for Listening Session

Last week the Judiciary Committee released a bipartisan police accountability bill that will be voted on during the upcoming special session. The proposal would create a new inspector general role to investigate instances of the use of deadly force, give more authority to civilian review boards, eliminate qualified immunity, ban choke-holds, require dashboard cameras in police vehicles, restrict the use of military equipment, and many other new requirements and restrictions.

Read the full proposal here.

Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. the Judiciary Committee will hold a virtual listening session on the proposal. Members of the public are invited to submit written testimony or testify remotely. Written testimony is highly encouraged. Those who wish to testify virtually must register no later than 6 p.m. Thursday. Click here for more details on how to submit testimony or to register to testify.

The listening session will be streamed on CT-N, here.