• The Governor established an online web portal of resources for businesses, consumers, and others during this public health crisis. Visit www.ct.gov/coronavirus for more information.
• For a comprehensive overview of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) assembled by the Governor’s Office, please click here.
• O’Neill and Associates has created a useful resource page to navigate the Small Business Administration (SBA) financial assistance programs, which can be found here.
• As of May 8, 2020, 32,411 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported. The virus has appeared in all 8 counties, 1,336 patients are hospitalized (down 49 patients statewide), and 2,874 residents have passed away. 120,541 tests have been conducted so far.
o Hospitalizations in Connecticut have been steadily declining for 16 days, with only a 1 day outlier increase in the middle of that dataset.
o A full breakdown of those cases can be found here.
• The State Capitol complex will remain closed until further notice.
o No date has been set to hold a special session at this time, though legislative leaders have indicated they would like to return sometime in June.
• Governor Lamont has issued a total of 38 executive orders since March 12, 2020.
o Several orders have also been issued by the Departments of Public Health, Consumer Protection, Insurance, Health Strategy, Motor Vehicles, Revenue Services, Housing, Transportation, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and other agencies—which can also be found here.
• The Governor did not issue a new Executive Order last night.
• To watch yesterday’s full gubernatorial briefing on COVID-19, please click here.
• Until further notice, all residents are required to wear, at least, a cloth face covering or mask when in public spaces if social distancing is not possible.
• The order for “non-essential” businesses to stay closed is in effect through, at least, May 20, 2020.
• The Department of Economic and Community Development 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 Department of Revenue Services 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.
• 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.
• Later today, the Governor’s Office is expected to release formal guidance for businesses that will be allowed to reopen during Phase 1 of Connecticut’s Reopening strategy.