Full capacity permitted in retail businesses as of March 19
CRMA in the News
COVID-19 vaccine update
News from the State Capitol
Other news and notes from around Connecticut
- Beginning March 19, retail businesses in Connecticut will be able to open at full capacity, but requirements for wearing masks, social distancing, and disinfectant cleaning will still be required.
- Governor Lamont made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, as part of a series of changes in state requirements that accelerate the opening of Connecticut’s economy.
- CRMA has been in communication with David Lehman, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, before, during and after the Governor’s announcement. We expect to receive additional information next week, in advance of the March 19 date. Watch your email for details.
- Lamont’s emergency powers are set to expire April 20, but the governor indicated yesterday that some of his executive orders — such as masking — will likely need to be continued beyond April 20.
CRMA in the News
- Lamont’s announcement received widespread media coverage, and comments from CRMA’ were part of the story. Links to some of that coverage: CTNewsJunkie, Connecticut Public Radio, Hearst CT Media, New London Day, Waterbury Republican-American, The Hartford Courant, and Associated Press.
- And, in case you missed it, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s meeting with Connecticut retailers via Zoom received coverage from News8, here, and Hearst newspapers, here.
COVID-19 Update
- On Thursday, the state reported a 1.58 percent daily positivity rate — the lowest it’s been since Feb. 16. Hospitalizations declined to 433, while the state reported 15 additional deaths. The Hartford Courant has the COVID-19 details here.
- Certain zip codes in Connecticut will be among the priorities as more COVID-19 vaccines arrive in the state in the coming days. The list includes much of Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, Hartford, Waterbury, New Britain, Derby, East Hartford, along with swaths of West Haven, Stamford, Ansonia, Norwalk and other municipalities. CT Post reports the details here.
News from the State Capitol
- Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won the special election Tuesday for the state Senate seat vacated by Carlo Leone, who resigned earlier this year to the join the administration of Gov. Lamont. CT Mirror has the details here.
- A deal between Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration and the Mohegan Tribal Nation would allow the Connecticut Lottery a hand in online gambling and sports betting, assuming the state can get the approval of the Mashantucket Pequot Nation. CTNewsJunkie as the details here.
- Legislation being considered by the legislature’s Environment Committee may not achieve the goals of its advocates, and the timing could adversely impact businesses. CRMA was among the organizations providing testimony; The Hartford Courant has the story here.
- About 60% of Connecticut businesses required to register for the state’s Paid Family Medical Leave program have done so. State officials are urging the remaining business to register for the program, as required. CTNewsJunkie reports on a news conference this week, here.
- Candidates have come forward for a special election on April 13 to fill a vacant House seat in the 112th District, which includes Monroe and part of Newtown. The race is between Republican Town Councilman Tony Scott and Democratic Board of Education member Nick Kapoor. CT Post has the latest news here.
Other news and notes from around Connecticut
- Connecticut’s Miguel Cardona, newly sworn in as the nation’s Education Secretary, came to his hometown of Meriden this week, joined by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a longtime community college faculty member. The Hartford Courant reports in the visit here.
- Governor Lamont announced that he appointed a new acting commissioner of the State Department of Education, longtime educator and administrator Charlene Russell-Tucker. News8 has the story here.
- UConn has received more than 36,000 applications from prospective first-year students seeking admission, a record for the university. Hartford Business Journal has that news, here.
- Connecticut’s roads are among the worst in the nation, a new study has found. Fairfield County Business Journal has the details, here.