Effective March 23, 2020, Connecticut Governor Ned Lemont implemented telecommuting and closures of non-essential businesses or not-for-profit entities, through April 22, 2020, unless earlier modified, extended, or terminated.
Under the Order, non-essential businesses or not-for-profit entities shall reduce their in-person workforce at any workplace locations by 100% not later than March 23, 2020 at 8:00 pm. All businesses and not-for-profit entities in the state shall employ, to the extent possible, telecommuting or work from home procedures.
Essential Business Exclusions
Businesses providing essential services, goods or functions are excluded from the mandate and do not need to reduce their in-person workforce. This includes the following businesses and entities:
- Essential health care operations including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, elder care and home health care workers;
- Companies and institutions involved in the research and development, manufacture, distribution, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies, health care data, consumer health products, medical devices, diagnostics, equipment, services and any other healthcare related supplies or services;
- Essential infrastructure, including utilities, wastewater and drinking water, telecommunications, airports and transportation infrastructure;
- Manufacturing, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and industries supplying the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military;
- The defense industrial base, including aerospace, mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers, aircraft and weapon system mechanics and maintainers;
- Essential retail, including grocery stores and big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries;
- Pharmacies, gas stations and convenience stores;
- Food and beverage retailers (including liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees) and restaurants, provided they comply with previous and future executive orders issued during the existing declared public health and civil preparedness
- Essential services including trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing, mail and shipping services; news media; legal and accounting services; banks, insurance companies, check cashing services, and other financial institutions; providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations; construction; vendors of essential services and goods necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses, including pest control and landscaping services;
- 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 the provision of goods, services or functions necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the public; and
- Any other business may be deemed essential after requesting an opinion from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, which shall review and grant such request, should it determine that it is in the best interest of the state to have the workforce continue at full capacity to properly respond to this
The Office of the Governor is working in concert with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to develop guidance for all businesses relating to the above order, which is expected to be released by 8:00 pm March 24th.
Tax Filing Extensions
The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services has also extended deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns to June 15th.