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March 23, 2020

More of CT’s economy to shut down this week

HBJ File Photo West Hartford's Blue Back Square.
By Greg Bordonaro

Downtown Hartford clothier Morneault’s Stackpole Morre Tryon sent an email Friday warning shoppers they will close temporarily.

West Hartford’s chic retail and restaurant destination Blue Back Square announced early Monday that it will also be shuttering as of 8 p.m. tonight, although some of its restaurants will offer take-out and delivery service and some essential businesses -- including healthcare facilities and law and financial firms -- remain open. 

These are among the latest business closings as Connecticut enters another week under new more restrictive state-at-home guidelines as the state works to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which has already infected hundreds and led to the death of eight residents.

Lamont’s new “Stay Safe, Stay at Home,” executive order kicks in at 8 p.m. tonight and directs all “non-essential” businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut to prohibit all in-person functions if they are able to do so.

Lamont is also encouraging all businesses to employ, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work-from-home procedures.

The order excludes any business or entity providing “essential services” or “functions,” such as health care, food service, law enforcement, and similar critical services.

The order will lead to more temporary or permanent layoffs, particularly in the retail sector, as companies try to do their part to stem the pandemic. 

However, the list of companies that are deemed “essential” is wide ranging, leaving it unclear exactly which types of businesses, if any, will now be required to close. 

Meanwhile, unemployment claims continue to skyrocket, with Connecticut’s Department of Labor reporting 72,000 applications between March 13 and March 19, including 16,000 on Friday alone. 
 
“At this critical time it is essential that everyone just stay home so we can contain the spread of this virus while keeping essential services running,” Lamont said. “I know that this will be disruptive to many and will bring many daily activities to a halt, but the only way we will be able to mitigate the impacts of this public health emergency is to take measures like this. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation, and I especially want to thank the essential workers who are needed to keep critical services running.”


Here is a list of businesses that are deemed essential under Lamont’s executive order:

1. Essential workers in the 16 critical infrastructure sectors, as defined by the federal Department of Homeland Security.
 
2. Healthcare and related operations including:
• biotechnology therapies
• consumer health products and services
• doctor and dentist offices
• elder care, including adult day care
• health care plans and health care data
• home health care workers or aides
• hospitals
• manufacturing, distributing, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, including research and development
• medical marijuana dispensaries and producers
• medical supplies and equipment providers, including devices, diagnostics, services, and any other healthcare related supplies or services
• medical wholesale and distribution
• nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
• pharmacies
• physical therapy and chiropractic offices
• research and laboratory services, including testing and treatment of COVID-19
• veterinary and animal health services
• walk-in-care health facilities
 
3. Infrastructure including:
• airports/airlines
• commercial trucking
• dam maintenance and support
• education-related functions at the primary, secondary, or higher education level to provide support for students, including distribution of meals or faculty conducting e-learning
• hotels and other places of accommodation
• water and wastewater operations, systems, and businesses
• telecommunications and data centers
• transportation infrastructure including bus, rail, for-hire vehicles and vehicle rentals, and garages
• utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission
 
4. All manufacturing and corresponding supply chains, including aerospace, agriculture, and related support businesses
 
5. Retail including:
• appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
• big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health products, or operate a pharmacy
• convenience stores
• gas stations
• grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
• guns and ammunition
• hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales/repair
• liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees
• pharmacies
• pet and pet supply stores
 
6. Food and agriculture, including:
• farms and farmer’s markets
• food manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities 
• nurseries, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores
• restaurants/bars (provided compliance with all applicable executive orders is maintained)
 
7. Services including:
• accounting and payroll services
• animal shelters or animal care or management, including boarding, grooming, pet walking and pet sitting 
• auto supply, repair, towing, and service, including roadside assistance
• bicycle repair and service
• building cleaning and maintenance
• childcare services
• critical operations support for financial institutions
• financial advisors
• financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing services
• funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
• insurance companies
• laundromats/dry cleaning
• legal and accounting services
• mail and shipping services
• marinas and marine repair and service
• news and media
• real estate transactions and related services, including residential leasing and renting
• religious services (subject to Executive Order 7D limiting gatherings to 50 people)
• storage for essential businesses
• trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing
• warehouse/distribution, shipping, and fulfillment
 
8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including:
• food banks
• homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
• human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support social service agencies

9. Construction including:
• all skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, and plumbers 
• general construction, both commercial and residential
• other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
• planning, engineering, design, bridge inspection, and other construction support activities
 
10. Services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of all residences and other buildings (including services necessary to secure and maintain non-essential workplaces):
• building cleaners or janitors
• building code enforcement
• disinfection
• doormen
• emergency management and response
• fire prevention and response
• general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
• home-related services, including real estate transactions, closings, appraisals, and moving services
• landscaping services
• law enforcement
• outdoor maintenance, including pool service
• pest control services
• security and maintenance, including steps reasonably necessary to secure and maintain non-essential businesses
• state marshals
 
11. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including: 
• billboard leasing and maintenance
• child care services
• essential government services
• government owned or leased buildings
• information technology and information security
• logistics
• technology support
 
12. Defense 
• defense and national security-related business and operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government
 
 

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