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Documenting Connecticut's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Connecticut coronavirus coverage
Debate in Connecticut
Connecticut government responses
School reopenings in Connecticut
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Connecticut's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

July 2021

  • July 15: On July 14, the General Assembly voted to extend Gov. Ned Lamont’s (D) emergency powers through Sept. 30.The extension passed 73-56 in the House, and 19-15 in the Senate.
  • July 1: On June 30, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) endedthe state’s eviction moratorium. In his executive order, he also extended the appeal period for tenants from three to 30 days, and required that landlords apply for federal relief funding dedicated to covering unpaid rent before evicting tenants.

June 2021

  • June 28: On June 25, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced a vaccine incentive program called Rock the Shot. Individuals 18 and older who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine can enter a drawing to win concert tickets. Additionally, the first 24 people vaccinated at certain vaccination sites will receive concert tickets.

May 2021

  • May 24: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the state will reinstate the weekly work search requirement for individuals receiving unemployment benefits effective May 30.
  • May 19:
    • Fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings starting May 19. Unvaccinated residents still have to wear masks in public indoor areas. Vaccinated individuals still need to wear masks on public transportation, at places where medical care is offered (like doctor’s offices and hospitals), and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports).
    • Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the Back to Work CT program will offer $1,000 bonuses for eligible unemployed residents who find full-time work. For more information on the program and eligibility, click here.
    • The Connecticut Department of Education announced school districts will not have to offer online instruction when school resumes in Fall 2021.
    • Lamont extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through July 20.
  • May 14: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced fully vaccinated people will not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings starting May 19. Unvaccinated residents will still have to wear masks in public indoor areas. Vaccinated individuals still need to wear masks on public transportation, at places where medical care is offered (like doctor’s offices and hospitals), and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports).
  • May 3: Outdoor business restrictions endedMay 1. The seating limit of eight people per table ended and alcohol sales without food are permitted outside. Indoor and outdoor businesses previously subject to the 11 p.m. curfew (including bars and restaurants) can now stay open until midnight each night.

April 2021

  • April 27: More than 50 clinics in the state started offering walk-up (no appointment) coronavirus vaccines. For the most updated list of walk-up clinics, click here.
  • April 21: On April 19, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through May 20.
  • April 20:
    • Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced outdoor business restrictions will be lifted May 1. The seating limit of eight people per table will end and alcohol sales without food will be permitted outside. Indoor and outdoor businesses subject to the 11 p.m. curfew (including bars and restaurants) will be able to stay open until midnight each night.
    • All remaining business restrictions will end May 19, including movie theater capacity limits. Limits on outdoor gatherings will also end. Some individual restrictions like the indoor public mask requirement will remain in place.
  • April 5: On April 2, Connecticut expandedvaccine eligibility to all residents 16 years of age and older.

March 2021

  • March 29: Connecticut's limit on early childhood class sizes is increasing from 16 to 20 children on March 29. Gov. Ned Lamont (D) made the announcement March 4.
  • March 19:
    • Some restrictions are lifted starting March 19. Restaurants, offices, places of worship, and personal care service businesses can operate at full capacity. Social gatherings at private residences can expand to 25 people indoors or 100 outdoors. Social gatherings at commercial venues can expand to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors. All school sports practices and competitions are allowed. Connecticut's out-of-state travel requirements are now recommendations.
    • Residents aged 45 to 54 are eligible for vaccination starting March 19. Previously, residents 55 and older could get vaccines.
  • March 16: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced a revised timeline for vaccine distribution. Lamont said scheduling will open to all individuals ages 45 to 54 starting March 19. The state is targeting April 5 to open vaccinations to everyone age 16 or older.
  • March 5:
    • Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced he will lift some restrictions starting March 19. Restaurants, offices, places of worship, and personal care service businesses will be able to operate at full capacity. Social gatherings at private residences can expand to 25 people indoors or 100 outdoors. Social gatherings at commercial venues can expand to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors. All school sports practices and competitions will be allowed. Connecticut's travel requirements will become recommendations.
    • Lamont said the limit on early childhood classes can increase from 16 to 20 individuals starting March 29.
    • On April 2, outdoor amusement parks can reopen, and outdoor event venues can operate at the lesser of 50% capacity or 10,000 individuals. Indoor stadiums will also be able to open at 10% capacity.
  • March 1: Individuals ages 55 to 64 are eligible for vaccination starting March 1.

February 2021

  • February 23: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced a schedule for the state’s age-based distribution expansion. Lamont also said clinics will open in March to focus on vaccinating teachers. The state will release more details on school staff vaccinations closer to the clinics’ opening. The age-based expansion is scheduled as follows:
    • Eligibility expands to individuals ages 55 to 64 on March 1, 2021
    • Eligibility expands to individuals ages 45 to 54 on March 22, 2021
    • Eligibility expands to individuals ages 35 to 44 on April 12, 2021
    • Eligibility expands to individuals ages 16 to 34 on May 3, 2021
  • February 17: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced gathering limits for weddings and other social events will expand from 100 to 200 people starting March 19.
  • February 11: Individuals age 65 and older can register for vaccination appointments as of Feb. 11. Previously, only people age 75 and older were eligible for vaccinations.
  • February 9: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced individuals age 65 and older can register for vaccination appointments starting Feb. 11. Currently, only people age 75 and older are eligible for vaccinations.

January 2021

  • January 27: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order until April 20.
  • January 20: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced Phase 1b of the vaccination plan will be rolled out in tiers. Individuals age 75 and older started making appointments Jan. 18. The next group will be individuals between the ages of 65 and 74. The final group in the phase will be essential frontline workers and people with high-risk underlying conditions.
  • January 19: Individuals age 75 and older were allowed to schedule vaccination appointments starting Jan. 18, marking the beginning of Phase 1b. Lamont said other groups included in Phase 1b will be allowed to make appointments once the supply increases and more individuals in the 75+ age group receive vaccines. Frontline essential workers, residents and staff in congregate settings, individuals between the ages of 65 and 74, and individuals with underlying health conditions are also included in Phase 1b. In Phase 1a, the state vaccinated healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
  • January 6: The state’s Allocations Subcommittee made recommendations for Phase 1B of vaccine distribution. The subcommittee recommended the vaccine should be available to school staff, essential frontline workers (including grocery store workers, police officers, and food service workers), residents over the age of 75, and individuals who live or work in prisons and homeless shelters.

December 2020

  • December 21: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued an executive order requiring travelers from all states except New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island to self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Connecticut, effective Dec. 19. Travelers do not have to quarantine if they received negative test results within 72 hours before or any time after their arrival in the state. Travelers must submit negative test results to the Department of Public Health Commissioner. The order also exempts travelers who tested positive for the virus in the 90 days before arriving in the state who have clinically recovered and submitted the positive test result to the Department of Public Health Commissioner.

November 2020

  • November 30: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) increased the maximum fines businesses could receive for a violation of sector rules or capacity limits from $500 to $10,000, effective Nov. 26.
  • November 23: The Department of Economic and Community Development released new guidelines for gyms and fitness centers, including a mask requirement inside fitness establishments. Gov. Ned Lamont (D) also announced a pause for team and club sports through Jan. 19, 2021. The order does not apply to professional or college teams.
  • November 10: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued new restrictions limiting private indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, effective Nov. 6. The order also prohibited state-defined high-risk school sports activities (like wrestling and football) through the end of the year.
  • November 6: The state moved backward from Phase 3 to Phase 2 of reopening on Nov. 6. Restaurants must limit capacity to 50% and close indoor dining by 9:30 p.m. every night. Religious gatherings are limited to the lesser of 50% capacity or 100 people.

October 2020

  • October 15: Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order allowing towns to opt out of Phase 3 and remain in the more restrictive Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan if they have more than 15 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over a two-week rolling average.
  • October 8: The state is moving to the third phase of reopening on Oct. 8. Phase 3 allows businesses like restaurants and barbershops to operate at 75% capacity. Outdoor event venues (like amphitheaters and racetracks) and indoor performing arts venues can operate at 50% capacity. Private indoor gatherings of up to 25 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 150 people are allowed.
  • October 1: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced Colorado had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Arizona and Virginia were removed from the list. Murphy and Cuomo also announced the launch of a coronavirus exposure notification app in their states.

September 2020

  • September 25: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the state is targeting Oct. 8 to move to the third reopening phase. Phase 3 will allow businesses like restaurants and barbershops to operate at 75% capacity. Outdoor event venues (like amphitheaters and racetracks) and indoor performing arts venues will be able to operate at 50% capacity. Private indoor gatherings of up to 25 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 150 people will be allowed.
  • September 22: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the formation of a new advisory group to prepare the state for the distribution of an eventual COVID-19 vaccine. The co-chairs of the group are Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting commissioner of public health, and Dr. Reggie Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health of New England.
  • September 21: On Sept. 21, Office of Early Childhood Development Commissioner Beth Bye announced that children age three and older must wear face masks at daycares and preschools.
  • September 16:
    • Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed an executive order imposing a fine of up to $100 for violating the state’s mask mandate. The order also imposes a $250 fine for attending indoor events with more than 25 people or outdoor gatherings with more than 100 people and a $500 fine for individuals organizing such events. The order takes effect at midnight on Sept. 17.
    • On Sept. 15, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Puerto Rico had been placed back on the joint travel advisory requiring visitors to the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days. California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio were removed from the list.* September 15: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) explained how he wanted schools to handle positive coronavirus cases. “Especially for K through 8, we’re trying to keep that fourth grade class unto itself as a pod as a cohort. So that if there happens to be an infection in that one class, it’s just those 20 students and that teacher who would have to quarantine — not the entire middle school or not the entire school,” he said. Lamont’s remarks came after several schools in the state fully closed after learning of one positive coronavirus case.
  • September 9: On Sept. 8, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia had been added to the joint travel advisory list requiring visitors from those states to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the tristate area. The governors removed Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from the list.
  • September 8: Several of the state’s largest school districts reopened to in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools were allowed to reopen beginning Aug. 31, but many districts delayed their start until after Labor Day.
  • September 2: On Sept. 1, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Alaska and Montana had been placed back on the joint travel advisory list, after having been removed Aug. 25. The travel advisory requires travelers entering the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days.
  • September 1: The legislature extended Gov. Ned Lamont’s (D) emergency powers through Feb. 9, 2021.

August 2020

  • August 31: On Aug. 31, schools were allowed to reopen for in-person instruction. Schools in the state were initially closed on March 16.
  • August 26: On Aug. 25, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, and Montana had been removed from the joint travel list requiring visitors to the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days. Guam was added to the list.
  • August 21: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the state would not proceed to Phase Three of reopening, which would allow for reopening bars and increasing dine-in capacity. Lamont also announced the state's eviction moratorium would be extended through Oct. 1.
  • August 19: On Aug. 14, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed an executive order extending the state’s mask mandate for six months to February 2021. The mandate first took effect on April 17.
  • August 18: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 18 that Delaware and Alaska had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Washington was removed from the list.
  • August 13: The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference's Board of Control rejected a proposal to move high school football to spring 2021. It will instead move forward with a plan previously approved on July 30 which allows practices to begin Aug. 17.
  • August 11: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Hawaii, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands had been added to the tristate quarantine list. The governors removed Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
  • August 7: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the state was providing an additional $160 million in funding to schools to help with reopening for the 2020-2021 school year.

July 2020

  • July 31: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said school districts would be able to choose between a fully in-person and hybrid plan without requiring state approval. Districts that want to use a fully remote model must apply for an exemption from the state Department of Education.
  • July 22: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on July 21 that 10 additional states had been added to their joint travel advisory. Travelers from Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Minnesota was removed from the list, bringing the number of states on it to 31.
  • July 14: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota had been added to the joint travel advisory originally announced June 24. Travelers from those states will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the tristate area. Delaware, which was added to the list on July 7, has been removed. The list now includes 22 states. Gov. Cuomo also announced that visitors to New York from those 22 states will need to fill out a form with contact information or face a $10,000 fine. Gov. Lamont said Connecticut would join New York in requiring visitors to fill out a similar form.
  • July 7:
    • On July 6, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced the state would remain in Phase Two of its reopening plan indefinitely. Phase Two began on June 17.
    • Govs. Lamont, Murphy, and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on July 7 that visitors entering their states from Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. The three governors announced the joint travel advisory on June 24. The initial list included eight states. It now applies to 19 states.

June 2020

  • June 30: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced June 30 that visitors arriving in their states from eight additional states will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. The three governors announced the joint travel advisory on June 24. The initial list included eight states. The new states include California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Tennessee.
  • June 26: Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said his department is proposing all schools reopen to students in the fall. Cardona said students and staff will be required to wear masks while inside school buildings.
  • June 24: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on June 24 that travelers arriving in their states from states with a high infection rate must quarantine for 14 days. The infection rate is based on a seven-day rolling average of the number of infections per 100,000 residents. As of June 24, the states that meet that threshold are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
  • June 8: On June 7, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) released rules for businesses reopening under Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan. Phase Two of the reopening includes amusement parks, hotels, dine-in services at restaurants, museums, indoor recreation, libraries, outdoor events, personal services, and sports and fitness facilities.
  • June 5: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced that Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan would begin on June 17, three days ahead of schedule. Phase Two will include indoor dining at restaurants and the reopening of gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, museums, pools, and amusement parks.

May 2020

  • May 22: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) released phases two and three of the state’s reopening plan. Phase two will take effect on June 20, and phase three will take effect at least four weeks later. Phase two will allow hotels, gyms, personal services, outdoor entertainment venues, amusement parks, indoor entertainment, museums, and dine-in service at restaurants to reopen.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Connecticut State Department of Public Health released a distribution plan on October 15, 2020.

Quick facts

Connecticut state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Connecticut Department of Public Health Immunization Program
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Connecticut COVID-19 Response
Where can I find the distribution plan? Connecticut Mass Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 15, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 15, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccination
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker
Where is the state health department's homepage? Connecticut State Department of Public Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Connecticut - AARP

Timeline

  • April 26, 2021: In Connecticut, more than 50 clinics in the state started offering walk-up (no appointment) coronavirus vaccines.[2]
  • April 2, 2021: Connecticut expanded vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 years of age and older.[3]
  • March 19, 2021: Connecticut residents aged 45 to 54 became eligible for vaccination. Previously, residents 55 and older could get vaccines.[4]
  • March 15, 2021: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced a revised timeline for vaccine distribution. Lamont said scheduling would open to all individuals ages 45 to 54 starting March 19. The state was targeting April 5 to open vaccinations to everyone age 16 or older.[5]
  • March 1, 2021: In Connecticut, individuals ages 55 to 64 became eligible for vaccination.[6]
  • February 22, 2021: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced a schedule for the state’s age-based distribution expansion. Lamont also said clinics would open in March to focus on vaccinating teachers. The age-based expansion was scheduled in the Mass Vaccination Plan.[7]
  • February 11, 2021: In Connecticut, individuals age 65 and older became eligible to register for vaccination appointments. Previously, only people age 75 and older were eligible for vaccinations.[8]
  • February 8, 2021: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced individuals age 65 and older could register for vaccination appointments starting Feb. 11. Previously, only people age 75 and older were eligible for vaccinations.[8]
  • January 19, 2021: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced Phase 1B of the vaccination plan would be rolled out in tiers. Individuals age 75 and older started making appointments Jan. 18. The next group was scheduled to be individuals between the ages of 65 and 74. The final group in the phase was scheduled to be essential frontline workers and people with high-risk underlying conditions.[9]
  • January 18, 2021: In Connecticut, individuals age 75 and older were allowed to begin scheduling vaccination appointments, marking the beginning of Phase 1B. Lamont said other groups included in Phase 1B would be allowed to make appointments once the supply increased and more individuals in the 75 and older age group received vaccines.[10]
  • January 5, 2021: Connecticut's Allocations Subcommittee made recommendations for Phase 1B of vaccine distribution. The subcommittee recommended the vaccine should be available to school staff, essential frontline workers (including grocery store workers, police officers, and food service workers), residents over the age of 75, and individuals living or working in prisons and homeless shelters.[11]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Connecticut have restrictions on travel? No. Gov. Ned Lamont (D) ended the quarantine or test requirement for travelers on March 19, 2021. The state encourages travelers to review U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel guidance on post-travel quarantine and testing. The state also encourages travelers to quarantine upon entering the state for a full seven days with a negative COVID-19 test taken 3-5 days into quarantine, or a full 10 days without a COVID-19 test.[12]

More information can be found at Connecticut's official state website.

Timeline

  • March 19, 2021: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) ended the requirement that out-of-state travelers and returning residents self-quarantine for 10 days or provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entering the state.[13]
  • December 18, 2020: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued an order requiring all travelers from all states except New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island to self-quarantine for 10 days upon entering Connecticut. Travelers from avoid having to quarantine if they can produce a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.[14]
  • October 20, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Arizona and Maryland had been added to the tristate self-quarantine list. The governors advised against traveling between their three states, but agreed not to mandate self-quarantines for travel between Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.[15]
  • October 19, 2020: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced that he would modify the travel advisory threshold to decrease the number of states on the list. States would need to be at 10 cases per 100,000 and have a 5% test positivity rate to qualify. Previously, a state would qualify if it had 10 cases per 100,000 and a 10% positivity rate.[16]
  • October 6, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that New Mexico had been added to the tristate quarantine list.[17]
  • September 22, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming had been added to the tristate quarantine list.[18]
  • September 15, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Puerto Rico had been re-added to the joint travel advisory, while California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio had been removed.[19]
  • September 8, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia had been added to the joint travel advisory list. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were removed from the list.[20]
  • August 25, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 25 that Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, and Montana had been removed from the joint travel advisory list. The territory of Guam was added to the list.[21]
  • August 18, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 18 that Delaware and Alaska had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Washington was removed from the list.[22]
  • August 11: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Hawaii, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands had been added to the tristate quarantine list. The governors removed Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.[23]
  • August 4, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Rhode Island had been added to the tristate quarantine list, requiring visitors from that state to quarantine for 14 days upon entering New Jersey, Connecticut, or New York. Delaware and Washington D.C. were removed from the list.[24]
  • July 28, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Illinois, Kentucky Minnesota, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico had been added to the joint travel advisory, bringing the total number of states to 37.[25]
  • July 21, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that 10 additional states had been added to the joint travel advisory. Travelers from Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Minnesota was removed from the list, bringing the total to 31.[26]
  • July 20, 2020: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced that all incoming travelers to Connecticut must fill out an online travel health form before arriving. Lamont said visitors could be subject to a $1,000 fine if they fail to fill out the form or quarantine.[27]
  • July 14, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota had been added to the joint travel advisory originally announced June 24. Travelers from those states will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the tristate area. Delaware, which was added to the list July 7, has been removed. The list now includes 22 states. Gov. Cuomo also announced that visitors to New York from those 22 states will need to fill out a contact form with contact information or face a $10,000 fine. Gov. Lamont said Connecticut would join New York in requiring visitors to fill out a form.[28][29][30]
  • July 7, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma had been added to the joint travel advisory originally announced June 24. Visitors from those states will need to quarantine for 14 days upon entering Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey. The full list of states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.[31]
  • June 30, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that eight more states had been added to a joint travel advisory requiring out-of-state visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days. The governors announced the travel advisory June 24 and originally included Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The list was expanded to include California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee.[32]
  • June 24, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on June 24 that travelers arriving in their states from states with a high infection rate must quarantine for 14 days. The infection rate is based on a seven-day rolling average of the number of infections per 100,000 residents. As of June 24, the states that meet that threshold are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.[33]
  • March 28, 2020: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) urged out-of-state visitors to self-quarantine.[34]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Connecticut to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Connecticut were closed to in-person instruction on March 16, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. The state allowed schools to start reopening on August 31, 2020. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Connecticut .[35][36]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Connecticut .[37][38]
  • August 31, 2020: Connecticut schools were allowed to reopen for in-person instruction. Schools in the state were initially closed on March 16.[39]
  • July 30, 2020: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said school districts would be able to choose between a fully in-person and hybrid plan without requiring state approval. Districts that wanted to use a fully remote model needed to apply for an exemption from the state Department of Education.[40]
  • June 25, 2020: Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said that his department was proposing all schools reopen to students in the fall. Cardona said that students and staff would be required to wear masks while inside school buildings.[41]
  • June 11, 2020: Lamont said that he expected schools in the state to reopen for classes in the fall.[42]


  • May 5, 2020: Lamont announced that schools would remain closed to in-person instruction for the rest of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 20.[43]
  • April 9, 2020: Lamont announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 20, was extended through May 20.[44]
  • March 23, 2020: Lamont announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end March 31, was extended through April 20.[45]
  • March 15, 2020: Lamont issued an executive order closing all schools in the state from March 16 to March 31.[5]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


On April 17, 2020, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed an executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings in public when close contact was unavoidable.

Starting May 19, fully vaccinated people did not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings. Unvaccinated residents still had to wear masks in public indoor areas. Vaccinated individuals still needed to wear masks on public transportation, at places where medical care was offered (like doctor’s offices and hospitals), and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports).

On Feb. 7, 2022, Lamont announced he would end the statewide mask requirement on Feb. 28.[46]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Auracle Homes, LLC v. Lamont: On June 16, 2020, a group of eight Connecticut landlords sued Governor Ned Lamont (D) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, seeking to block two executive orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 7G, issued on March 19, suspends non-critical court operations. Executive Order 7X, issued on April 10, prohibits landlords from initiating new evictions through July 1, provides an automatic 60-day grace period for April rent (and a 60-day grace period for May rent upon request), and mandates that landlords allow tenants who paid a security deposit in excess of one month’s rent be allowed to use that excess amount toward April, May, or June rent. The landlords argue in their complaint that these executive orders "illegally deprived them of their constitutional right to private contract, right to due process of law, right to equal protection under the law, and right against having their property taken for public use without just compensation." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong defended the executive orders, stating they "have been very clearly constitutional and fully legally justified." The case was assigned to Judge Victor Allen Bolden.[47][48]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Jahana Hayes U.S. House Connecticut District 5 September 20, 2020 On Sept. 20, Hayes announced she had tested positive for coronavirus and would quarantine for 14 days.[49]
Joe Polletta Connecticut House of Representatives District 68 October 9, 2020 Polletta announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[50]
Joe Courtney U.S. House Connecticut District 2 November 22, 2020 Courtney announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[51]
Jane Garibay Connecticut House of Representatives District 60 March 19, 2020 Garibay announced that she tested positive for coronavirus.[52]
Christopher Bowen (Connecticut) Candidate, Connecticut House of Representatives District 105 July 28, 2020 Bowen announced on Facebook that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[53]
Susan Bysiewicz Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut January 8, 2021 Bysiewicz announced that she would self-quarantine after a member of her staff tested positive for COVID-19.[54]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT426
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT42
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT319
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 CT Post, "Lamont closes all CT schools until at least March 31," March 15, 2020
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT31
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT222
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT28
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT119
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT118
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CT15
  12. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "COVID-19 Travel Advisory Mandate for Conn. to be Lifted Later This Week," March 15, 2021
  13. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "COVID-19 Travel Advisory Mandate for Conn. to be Lifted Later This Week," March 15, 2021
  14. ↑ State of Connecticut, "Executive Order No. 9S," accessed February 23, 2021
  15. ↑ Hartford Courant, "New York, New Jersey COVID-19 quarantine list grows to 35 states, territories," October 20, 2020
  16. ↑ ABC 7 New York, "Reopen Connecticut: CT will modify rules of its travel advisory list," October 20, 2020
  17. ↑ Democrat and Chronicle, "New York, New Jersey COVID-19 quarantine list grows to 35 states, territories," October 6, 2020
  18. ↑ NBC New York, "5 More States Added to Tri-State Quarantine List as U.S. COVID-19 Cases Near 7 Million," September 22, 2020
  19. ↑ KTVZ, "Six states removed from CT’s travel advisory list, Puerto Rico added," September 15, 2020
  20. ↑ NBC New York, "4 More States Land on Quarantine List as NYC Debuts New Enforcement Measure," September 8, 2020
  21. ↑ Newsday, "Five states removed from New York's travel quarantine list, one territory added," August 25, 2020
  22. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "Alaska, Delaware Added to List of COVID-19 Hot Spots That Require CT Residents to Quarantine," August 18, 2020
  23. ↑ NBC New York, "Hawaii, Virgin Islands Added to Quarantine List as NY Virus Numbers Remain in Check," August 11, 2020
  24. ↑ Yahoo News, "Connecticut Again Expands Travel Quarantine List," August 4, 2020
  25. ↑ Yahoo Money, "Only 13 states escape New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut's coronavirus travel restrictions," July 28, 2020
  26. ↑ CBS News, "Travelers from nearly two-thirds of U.S. states will now have to self-quarantine when entering New York," July 21, 2020
  27. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "Travelers Coming to CT From COVID-19 Hotspots Must Follow Protocols Or Could Face Fine," July 20, 2020
  28. ↑ NBC New York, "22 States Now on Tri-State Quarantine List as Cuomo Ups Ante With New NY Emergency Order," July 14, 2020
  29. ↑ CNY Central, "Four more states added to New York travel advisory for mandatory quarantine, one removed," July 14, 2020
  30. ↑ NBC Connecticut, Connecticut Increases States on Travel Quarantine Advisory List to 22," July 14, 2020
  31. ↑ Yahoo Money, "New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut expand coronavirus travel restrictions," July 7, 2020
  32. ↑ CNN, "NY, NJ and CT expand quarantine advisories for travelers from 8 more states with high coronavirus rates," June 30, 2020
  33. ↑ New York Times, "N.Y. Will Impose Quarantine on Visitors From States With Big Outbreaks," June 24, 2020
  34. ↑ The Office of Governor Ned Lamont, "Governor Lamont Statement on Reports of President Trump Considering Regional Quarantine," March 28, 2020
  35. ↑ Burbio rated Connecticut's in-person index at 95. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  36. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  37. ↑ Burbio rated Connecticut's in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  38. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  39. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Connecticut schools reopen today with masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing; 76% of families opt for in-person learning," August 31, 2020
  40. ↑ Patch, "Lamont Gives More Clarity On School Reopening Options," July 30, 2020
  41. ↑ ABC 7, "Reopen Connecticut: State plans for full-time, in-school education in the fall," June 25, 2020
  42. ↑ Patch, "Students Expected To Return To School In Fall: Lamont," June 11, 2020
  43. ↑ NBC Connecticut, " Governor Cancels In-Person Classes for the Rest of the School Year," May 5, 2020
  44. ↑ Stamford Advocate, "Gov. Lamont: Schools will stay closed for coronavirus until at least May 20," April 9, 2020
  45. ↑ WHDH, "Connecticut public schools closed until at least April 20," March 23, 2020
  46. ↑ CNBC, "Connecticut governor says Covid mask mandate can be lifted because ‘hospitals aren’t overwhelmed’," February 10, 2022
  47. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, "Auracle Homes, LLC v. Lamont: Complaint," June 16, 2020
  48. ↑ Twitter, "AG William Tong," April 8, 2020
  49. ↑ Times Leader, "Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut tests positive for COVID-19," September 21, 2020
  50. ↑ NBC Connecticut', "Watertown Rep. Tests Positive For COVID-19," October 9, 2020
  51. ↑ U.S. News and World Report, "COURTNEY TESTS POSITIVE," November 22, 2020
  52. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "State Representative Tests Positive for COVID-19," March 19, 2020
  53. ↑ Valley Independent Sentinel, "Seymour Candidate For State Representative Tested Positive For COVID," July 29, 2020
  54. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz quarantining after staff member tests positive for COVID-19," January 8, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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