HARTFORD, Conn — Governor Lamont will be extending his Coronavirus emergency powers for 5 months. This extension is set to take effect on September 9th.
Republican leader say on Monday they met with Governor Lamont and his top aides, but felt like their input was not included in this decision.
“The power he is taking right now is extraordinary and well beyond the scope of the public health pandemic,” says Rep. Vincent Candelora.
The extension of Connecticut’s State of Emergency means that dozens of COVID emergency orders and restrictions can continue. Some of the orders impacting businesses and schools. A limit on gatherings will remain and the post travel self-quarantine could last until February.
Wednesday, Governor Lamont defended his decision.
“I welcome everybody’s input but rather than make it more of a political process I think what I’d love to do is lead with the science… and then keep the legislature involved closely along the way,” says Governor Lamont.
Republican lawmakers say they understand this is still a public health emergency, but argue that Connecticut’s COVID-19 numbers have improved. They also want to be involved with deciding how to push the state forward.
“March in Connecticut does not look anywhere near the same September in Connecticut looks. Because of that the way we govern has to look different. The broad nature of these executive orders has included public health, the economy, it’s put a limit on people’s right to sue, a limit on contractual obligations between landlords and tenants. There are hundreds of them. We need to sit down with the governor and legislatures from both sides and have a comprehensive conversation on how we should move forward,” says Rep Klarides.
Governor Lamont’s extension will go in effect on Friday unless a special committee of 10 lawmakers votes to overturn the governor. They would have to vote on it by Friday.
There is also an online petition circulating that opposes the governor’s extension. The petition states that the extension will do more harm than good to the state. As of Wednesday, it has received over 700 signatures.
Waterbury Public Schools confirmed that a staff member with the district has tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a statement, the staff member works at Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School.
Superintendent Verna D. Ruffin was notified of the test results Friday.
WPS says the Waterbury Department of Public Health and the city’s Contact Tracing Team was quickly notified so that the individual could identify close contacts.
The school district did not confirm if fellow Rotella Interdistrict Magnet colleagues were among those close contacts.
Officials did announce that cleaning and disinfecting of the school was done immediately.
A Trinity College student has tested positive for COVID-19 according to campus officials.
Officials said in an email, "We can confirm that we have our first on-campus case of COVID-19 this fall. The positive test result came this morning through our campus testing program for a student who arrived on campus recently. The student is feeling well and has been moved to isolation following our protocols.
Details about cases can be seen at https://www.trincoll.edu/reopening/covid-19-dashboard.
According the latest data, UConn has 57 on-campus cases including the 10 added this past Friday.
Judicial branch to resume court operations at four more locations on September 8
The Connecticut Judicial Branch announced that some court operations will resume at the following locations on Tuesday, September 8:
- Geographical Area No. 23 Courthouse at New Haven, 121 Elm Street
- Juvenile Matters at New Haven, 239 Whalley Avenue
- Juvenile Matters at Waterford, 978 Hartford Turnpike
- Juvenile Matters at Willimantic, 81 Columbia Avenue
A range of civil, criminal, family, and juvenile proceedings are being processed both by remote technology and within courthouses.
Individuals entering a court facility must wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose. In addition, to allow for social distancing, the number of people allowed into a courthouse, courtroom, office, lobby, or corridor may be limited.