UPDATE: This report was updated with the latest CDC recommendations as reported by the AP, and state Executive Order details at 8:40 pm, after a 7 pm update on Sunday, March 15 with the latest COVID-19 case count in Connecticut.

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The CDC is recommending gatherings of 50 people or more in the US be canceled or postponed over the next eight weeks to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus infecting more residents of the state Sunday evening, but currently not directly affecting Newtown. The recommendation was reported by The Associated Press and more details will follow.

Governor Ned Lamont issued new Executive Orders late Sunday that, in part:

*Cancels classes at all public schools statewide effective March 17 through at least March 31.

*Provides flexibility for municipal budget deadlines and related issues.

*Authorizes the DMV commissioner to close branches to the public, conduct business remotely, and extend deadlines.

*Allows restrictions on visitor access to psychiatric facilities in order to protect vulnerable residents, patients, and staff.

*Orders the CT Department of Revenue Services to extend the filing deadline for certain annual state business tax returns

*Restricts entrance into psychiatric facilities: Building on the governor’s previous order restricting visitor access to nursing homes and other similar facilities, this order allows the relevant state agencies to restrict entrance into psychiatric facilities in order to protect vulnerable residents, patients, and staff.

The state Office of Health Strategy Executive Director Vicki Veltri is reminding all Connecticut residents that any worker in the state who receives health insurance through their employer, becomes unemployed, and loses minimum essential coverage or receives COBRA – whether it is due to the COVID-19 outbreak or otherwise – qualifies all year-long for open enrollment through AccessHealthCT, the state’s health insurance marketplace. Those interested in applying can find more information at learn.accesshealthct.com/special.

In addition, Governor Lamont is requesting the Small Business Administration issue a declaration enabling Connecticut’s small business owners to receive disaster assistance.

As many municipalities are nearing the their budget deadlines, the governor’s order provides extensions and flexibility for the hearings and other associated issues. The governor’s staff is working with municipalities and the legal community to resolve issues regarding statutory deadlines and notice requirements for land use boards, public attendance and voting at town budget meetings, and alternate methods of submitting public comments.

Federal Efforts For Families

A little over a day earlier, on March 14, US Rep Jahana Hayes with support from US Senator Richard Blumenthal continued her work to see the "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" quickly passed and implemented, Governor Ned Lamont and Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal are grappling with the spreading virus and its impact on state and local residents.

"It's okay to go take a walk with your family," Rosenthal said. "Take advantage of the nice weather. It's a serious time, but we're usually running around. Residents should use this opportunity to enjoy more time with family members. Just continue to avoid areas where there are larger gatherings - that includes local playgrounds and similar public play areas because surfaces are not being disinfected regularly.

"Where home playsets can be easily disinfected, playground equipment is not," he added. "If we're looking for a silver lining, there's more time to enjoy with loved ones."

Numerous developments related and in response to the spreading coronavirus are being announced regularly. Many of the latest details that are likely most relevant to Newtown residents may include:

*UPDATES Infection Update: At 6 pm on Sunday, March 15, Gov Lamont reported that the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state total 26. This includes two new cases in Hartford and New Haven Counties since yesterday, and additional cases in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. A county-by-county breakdown of the positive cases includes: Fairfield County - 16; Hartford County - 3; Litchfield County - 4; New Haven County - 3.

*Municipal Center visitor restrictions: According to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, beginning Monday, March 16, the Newtown Municipal Center will be open on an appointment basis only. Anyone requiring in-person contact at respective municipal departments should call ahead to schedule an appointment, or to learn whether their business can be transacted via internet, postal mail, or other means that reduce pedestrian traffic. See a list of Newtown Departments by CLICKING HERE.

*Centralized Web Information: Newtown has also established a website page with the most current updates related to town government, school district news, Parks & Rec information, and news from Edmond Town Hall, The Newtown Senior Center, and the Community Center. To reach that page, CLICK HERE.

*Stop & Shop changes hours, curtails online pick-ups: The Newtown Bee was informed Sunday that in order to allow more time for associates to unload deliveries, stock shelves, and better serve customers throughout the day, the store is adjusting hours to 7:30 am - 8 pm, beginning Monday, March 16, until further notice.

Also, as a result of unprecedented demand as well as product shortages in some areas, Stop & Shop has temporarily suspended its online pickup service until further notice. Store associates will instead focus on stocking products and other key priorities that will better meet the needs of all customers.

Finally, Stop & Shop online shoppers may be experiencing delays on the company website as well as with delivery times due to extremely high demand, and the company is working to ensure the site is running smoothly so customers can continue to receive orders as quickly as possible. All stores are also employing extreme sanitizing practices which can be reviewed by CLICKING HERE.

*Federal Legislation Proposed: According to 5th District US Rep Jahana Hayes, whose district includes Newtown, along with House Democrats introduced the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to address the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security.

This second relief package by Congress in just two weeks will ensure free Coronavirus testing for all Americans. It will strengthen food assistance for seniors, low-income women and mothers with young children. It will safeguard Medicaid benefits to prevent states from cutting critical programs and will give states the resources and flexibility to provide unemployment benefits to laid off and furloughed workers. Finally, this landmark bill would establish an Emergency Paid Leave Program so that those who take leave to avoid spreading the virus or due to illness or caregiving responsibilities can pay their bills.

“While the aid package Congress passed last week will go a long way towards helping local health departments fight the spread of this virus, it is clear that more action is needed for those that will feel the impact of this health emergency the hardest: children, low-wage workers, and our most vulnerable neighbors," Rep Hayes said in a release.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal added, "This solid start to confronting a historic national crisis truly puts families first. The Senate – which should be at work right now – must now quickly approve it with the overwhelming bipartisan support that this emergency demands. This crisis has upended workplaces and homes, endangering lives and livelihoods, spreading disease and fear. It must be met with resolve, resilience, and compassion.

"These steps are a sound beginning to help families meet every day needs – putting food on the table and paying their mortgage – if workers must stay home or lose their jobs. It helps small businesses with the financially backbreaking shock of economic disruption," he continued. "It helps states meet dire healthcare needs through expanded Medicaid funding. Its overwhelming bipartisan support reflects the courageous leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer, and more will follow.”

*Eversource message to utility customers: Eversource, stated in a release March 14, that like other businesses, the utility has been closely monitoring COVID-19 and working to proactively address the concerns of our employees and customers. The company is currently operating under an emergency pandemic plan to focus resources on ensuring the smooth and stable operation of electric and gas operations.

"In our operations, the company is curtailing any nonessential planned electric outages; continuing to plan for brief and targeted electric outages only when they are required to perform critical work to ensure reliability; and making sure all our field resources and support staff continue to be at the ready in the event of a storm or other similar disruption not related to COVID-19.

Additionally, measures and guidelines we have put in place for Eversource employees are designed to ensure its workforce remains ready to serve customers and maintain electric and gas networks."

*Gov Lamont's latest round of Executive Orders: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7B enacts the following provisions:

1. Suspension of in-person open meeting requirements: The order modifies statutes regarding state and local government meetings that are required to permit members of the public to attend in-person and authorizes those meetings to be held remotely by conference call or videoconference, provided that the public is provided remote access to view or listen to the meetings and access materials for the meetings.

2. Waiver of manufacturer registration requirement for hand sanitizer: To increase the availability of hand sanitizer, the order suspends certain statutes regarding manufacturer registration requirements and authorizes the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to allow pharmacists to compound and sell finished hand sanitizer products over the counter to customers. The Commissioner will be required to issue an implementing order prescribing the rules for the composition of the sanitizer.

3. Suspension of garbing requirements for non-hazardous compounding of sterile pharmaceuticals: In response to the global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the order allows the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to waive the requirement for pharmacists to use certain PPE when working with non-hazardous, sterile compounds.

4. Refunds for certain liquor license application fees permissible: The order authorizes the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to cancel and refund the application fee for liquor permits to anyone who paid for such a permit but no longer needs it because the event for which the permit was required has been canceled due to the public health emergency.

5. DSS Temporary Family Assistance: The order authorizes the Commissioner of Social Services to waive requirements that applicants for Temporary Family Assistance attend an in-person interview and planning session before receiving benefits.

6. Provisions to ensure adequate childcare resources: To increase access to childcare for families in need throughout the pandemic, the order authorizes the Commissioner of Early Childhood to allow the operation of youth camps, and waive certain requirements for childcare facilities. As many school readiness programs are suspending operations due to the pandemic, the order also allows the Commissioner of Early Childhood to allow school readiness programs to operate for fewer than 50 weeks.

7. Provisions to ensure adequate healthcare resources and facilities: The order allows the Office of Healthcare Strategy to waive certain requirements regarding certificates of need and other healthcare related requirements to ensure that the increased demand for healthcare resources and facilities can be met during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Connecticut Bar Association's land use law section has engaged with the Office of the Governor and Office of the Attorney General to make recommendations in the coming days on the filing, decision making, and related deadlines for municipal and other administrative bodies, and assisted with the open meeting provisions of today’s executive order.

The Governor's office is also reviewing the concerns of municipal officials about requirements for town meetings to approve budgets, and what adjustments may be needed to allow public participation or input while protecting public safety.

*Compounding Sanitizer: The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Drug Control Division has released an implementation order that outlines guidelines for compounding of hand sanitizers at pharmacies pursuant to Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7B released on Saturday, March 14. DCP’s Drug Control Division has issued guidance to credential holders regarding compounding of hand sanitizers and garbing guidelines. In addition to information related to Executive Order 7B, DCP has also released guidance for pharmacies regarding remote data entry, and remote data entry verification.

*Nursing Home protections: Pursuant to Executive Order No. 7A, Department of Public Health Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell has issued an order to nursing homes and long term care facilities that prohibits any visitation for the next 30 days effective immediately except for the following categories of individuals:

First responders, including emergency medical services, law enforcement, firefighting and emergency management personnel; family members, domestic partners or other persons designated by a patient only when the facility’s medical director, a licensed physician or advance practice registered nurse has determined such patient to be at the end stage of life with death being imminent;

Also any person authorized by law to oversee or investigate the provision of care and services; and service providers who are required to do maintenance or repair necessary without delay for the facility’s continued operation. Any individuals permitted access to the facility will need undergo a risk screening for COVID-19 by facility staff using appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in accordance with CDC guidance documents.

*Added state-level distancing protections: Governor Lamont has authorized the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Policy and Management to implement several measures that will increase the state executive branch agencies’ ability to implement social distancing and assist employees who are directly affected by COVID-19 while still maintaining state operations and providing needed services and programs to the public.

*National Guard supporting DPH: The Connecticut National Guard has been mobilized and is aiding in requests for assistance from the Department of Public Health. Some of the assistance provided so far includes delivery of ventilators to St. Francis Hospital, Danbury Hospital, and Hartford Hospital; inventory of medical equipment sets for the Mobile Field Hospital; and reconfiguring parts of the Mobile Field Hospital into small tents for possible rapid deployment to hospitals.

*Rail line schedule changes: Effective Monday, March 16, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is instituting rail service changes on Shore Line East and the Hartford Line as part of the state’s coordinated effort to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. For a list of the service changes, CLICK HERE.

*Sustaining internet services: As part of the Federal Communication Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge launched on March 12, eight internet service providers in Connecticut have committed to not terminating business or residential service, or charging late fees for anyone who can’t pay their bill due to hardship caused by COVID-19. They also have committed to provide Wi-Fi hot spots to any American that needs them. These pledge commitments will be in place for at least a 60-day period.

Connecticut internet providers that have signed the pledge include Comcast, Frontier, Altice (Optimum), Charter (Spectrum), Cox, Atlantic, Verizon, and AT&T. In addition to signing the pledge, several companies are providing additional resources. Consult your provider for details.

*For the most up-to-date information: from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, all residents in the state are encouraged to CLICK HERE.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment.

The hotline is only 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 to seek treatment.

See Friday's video message from First Selectman Rosenthal and Health District Director Donna Culbert by CLICKING HERE - the next message anticipated on Monday, March 16.