Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020:

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.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Guidance for Phase 1 of reopening plans

During his news briefing this afternoon, Governor Lamont and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman outlined some of the details his administration is considering for Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans on May 20. Documents containing guidance for businesses about those plans are currently being finalized and are anticipated to be released later Friday evening or on Saturday. As soon as those documents are ready, they will be published online at ct.gov/coronavirus and publicly noticed so that businesses can have an opportunity to review the details.

Additional $3 million in funding available for COVID-19 Business Response Program

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has committed an additional $3 million to the COVID-19 Business Response Program, which provides financial relief to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The program, administered by the Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO), provides zero-interest lines of credit of up to $20,000 to small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Since the program was announced last month, HEDCO has received 607 applications and 137 small businesses have been approved for $1.6 million in assistance.

DECD, by increasing its financial commitment from $2 million to $5 million, will more than double the number of companies receiving financial support during this difficult time. HEDCO is no longer accepting applications for the program – the additional $3 million will be directed to applications previously received.

Department of Revenue Services extends deadlines for certain administrative protests and tax appeals

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services today announced that it is extending the deadline for filing certain protests with its appellate division by 90 days. The agency also issued guidance regarding the filing of tax appeals.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Revenue Services.

Face coverings remain available for essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees

The State of Connecticut is continuing to distribute free face coverings to essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees through a partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and its affiliate CONNSTEP. Eligible businesses include those defined as essential by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Eligible essential small businesses can request up to two free face coverings per employee by filling out the form at ctcovidresponse.org.

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 and TDD/TTY access. It intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.