Question:
Luciano from the CT Valley Summer Soccer League wrote, “The kids are waiting for the Governor to allow us to play. The towns will not allow us (to use) venues until the Governor puts something in writing.
When can youth soccer games be scheduled and played and what are the restrictions?”
Answer:
Sports in the low to moderate risk category are allowed to start in Connecticut’s Phase 2 reopening tomorrow. In the State’s guidelines posted online, it lists soccer in the moderate risk category. That means youth soccer teams can start individual group training, controlled practices, scrimmages and games. Tournaments will be allowed after July 6th. There are guidelines in place about traveling to games, screening athletes and coaches and sanitizing equipment. You can find detailed rules and where your youth sport falls by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery-Phase-2/Sports_FitnessCenters-_C4_V1.pdf
Question:
Jackie wrote, “What can a tenant do about a landlord harassing them for rent knowing that they have been out of work since March? The Governor gave a 60-day limit in April and May but forgot about June while he's slowly reopening the state.”
Answer:
Governor Lamont signed an executive order back on April 10 offering protections to renters. It said landlords can’t begin eviction proceedings till after July 1, must give 60-day grace periods for rent due in April and May and allow renters to use a security deposit of more than one month’s rent to pay April, May or June rent. As of now, there is no extension on that executive order, so your landlord can ask you to pay June rent. For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Information-For/Homeowners-and-Renters
Question:
Donna asked, “Are K-12 schools going to open as planned in fall? If so is there a date?”
Answer:
The State is planning to open K-12 schools in the fall, but the State Department of Education is still working out guidelines and how heading back to class will look for students and teachers.
Here’s what Governor Lamont had to say this week:
“We’re going to get that guidance out in about a week. We’re focused on this really strong. We’re going to have a school year in September. We’re going to have classes in September. We’re going to have colleges going provided our metrics continue heading in the right direction.”
Question:
A viewer wrote, “The restrictions on weddings in phase 2 are unclear. What are they? The governor's website states "Social Clubs to follow all rules applicable to their operation (e.g. Restaurant, Pool)". Is a wedding venue a social club? And therefore can follow the restaurant 50% capacity?”
Anser:
A wedding venue is not considered a social club in the State’s reopening guidelines. Weddings can fall in Phase 2 or Phase 3 depending on the wedding. Beginning June 17, outdoor events are allowed up to a certain number of people. That could be a wedding. In Phase 3, indoor event spaces and venues will be allowed to reopen. That is where wedding venues would fall if it is an indoor event.
FOX61 asked the DECD Commissioner David Lehman this question, as well. He said, “The short answer is that type of gathering is going to have unique guidelines to it and we are expanding and increasing the capacity there. But for that specific event there is going to be a specific capacity restriction separate from the guidelines we have for a restaurant or pool for social clubs.”