Special Coronavirus Update

List of essential business released
Executive Order allows non-essential retails some options
Number of cases in CT increased
Important links to live by

• Following up on last week’s Executive Order by Governor Lamont to close all non-essential businesses, late last evening, the Department of Economic and Community Development released a list of businesses considered to be “essential.”

• You can go here to take a look at a new content page issued by the state with guidance – https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-for-Businesses/Coronavirus-for-Businesses

• The non-essential business pause goes into effect this evening, March 23, at 8:00pm. CRMA is here for any retailer that has any questions about how to proceed under these news guidelines.

We continue to be in communication with DECD and relevant state agencies.

• Please email tim@ctretailnetwork.com if you have any questions.

New Executive Order Issued

• In addition to the list of essential business outlined in the latest DECD guidance, the Governor issued a new Executive Order, 7J, yesterday (March 22).

• Included in this new EO is an important notification for all retailers that are NOT listed as essential retailers. You can go here to review that.

• It includes this introductory language: “non-essential retailers provide useful and necessary products and employ tens of thousands of people throughout the state, and with proper precautions, may be able to conduct limited operations without increasing the risk of transmission of COVID-19”

• The Governor’s Executive Orders, and guidance provided by DECD, indicate:
  1) non-essential retailers may be staffed on-site, provided that they may only offer remote ordering (e.g. phone, internet, mail, dropbox) and curb-side pick-up or delivery and
  2) non-essential businesses and nonprofits to allow staff or third parties on site to the minimum extent necessary to provide security, maintenance and receipt of mail and packages. This includes, but is not limited to, auto, boat, bicycle, recreational vehicle, and all other vehicle sales, if conducted remotely. 

• If you are a non-essential retailer and have any questions about the latest language above, please email us and we work with you to help you comply.

• In addition, if you are a non-essential retail, but think you should be included on the list, a process has been put in place to allow you apply for an exemption.

• You can go here for that application. In addition, CRMA is in constant contact with the DECD and will be here to help you with that application.

Important Coronavirus information and links.

• The Governor has also extended CT income tax filing deadline to July 15; details here.

• DRS has moved deadlines for filing other business taxes as well; link to that information is here.

• Full list and links of Executive Orders by the Governor here.

• The state’s Request for Personal Protective Equipment here.

• The number of Coronoavirus cases in CT continues to increase. The State reports that as of March 22, a total of 327 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents. Cases have been reported in all 8 Connecticut counties. Fifty-one patients were hospitalized, and 8 residents have died (5 in Fairfield County, 2 in Tolland County, and 1 in Hartford County).

• UConn Health has been approved to set up a triage tent for COVID-19 patients in preparation of a likely surge in severe coronavirus cases. Hartford Courant story here.

• The Governor has reached out by phone in a recorded message using the state’s CT Alert system for the first time; the administration and legislative leaders continue to discuss an economic recovery package for Connecticut businesses. CT News Junkie has more.

• The CT Mirror takes a look at how Governor Lamont and state leadership is dealing with this emergency, here.

• CVS Health announced Monday that it is looking to immediately hire 50,000 employees across the U.S. and offer expanded benefits and bonuses for existing workers. Hartford Courant has the story here.