Corona Virus Update #4 - March 17, 2020

To:        All residents

From:    Steve Dunn First Selectman

CDC GUIDELINES FOR TESTING

Under current CDC guidelines, contacts of contacts and family members of contacts are not being tested for COVID19 – unless that initial contact becomes symptomatic.  That is, develops a fever to 100.4 f or above, a persistent cough or respiratory distress. Please note that a runny nose, sinus or nasal congestion or runny eyes are NOT a part of this symptom complex. Please maintain social distancing (6 feet or 2 arms length) avoid crowds, wash hands frequently with soap and water for minimum 20 seconds, and stay at home if ill. For the most current recommendations, please log on to:  ct.gov/coronavirus   For general questions you may want to dial 2-1-1.     

BOARD MEETINGS

We have halted holding Board and Commission meetings unless they have a pressing need to meet. The Governor has issued an executive order regarding public attendance at these meetings and until further notice, no member of the public may attend any Board or Commission meeting for the duration of the Coronavirus event. If we cannot live stream the meeting we are required to have a call in number that people can listen to during the meeting.

BUSINESS CURTAILMENT

The Governor has decreed that all restaurants and bars be closed and they can only offer take out or delivery services. Gyms are closed. Local banks are also closing their branches to the public but will continue to have drive-through, online and ATM service available. Most will also have a hot line you can call if you need to arrange to transact buinsess in person.

SBA ASSISTANCE/UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

The Government has instructed the SBA to offer low cost loans and other assistaince to support small businesses in this crisis. If you need assistance, you can call the SBA at 800-827-5722 or go on the SBA website at SBA.gov. If you need assistance from the town on the SBA, please call Greg Demboski at 203-740-3865.

 For unemployment please go to the State of CT website http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-\online/index.htm . Telephone assistance is not available for unemployment. If you need further assistance from the town on applying for unemployment, please call our Social Services department at  203-775-7312. Understand that we have limited resources so we strongly suggest using the State website.