Cancel Events of 50 or More for Next 8 Weeks, CDC Urges; CT Schools Closed by Governor

Even as Connecticut’s Governor closed all of the state’s public schools, urged federal officials to provide disaster relief for small business owners and authorized the closure of state Motor Vehicles offices to slow the spread of coronavirus across the state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stepped up its guidance to Americans. 

The CDC is recommending that “for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.”

For the countless events that pushed back plans from March to May, those new dates may also prove problematic, as health officials stress that the height of the pandemic’s march through Connecticut has yet to peak.  It’s more than event planners that need to take note of the new official guidance – which touches everything from conferences to weddings.

As the CDC points out, “Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.”

The guidance goes on to state that “Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.  When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.”

The recommendation, CDC notes, “does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. Guidance specific to schools and childcare settings, institutions of higher education, and community- and faith-based organizations can be found on CDC’s website focused on prevention COVID-19 spread in communities.”

Gov. Ned Lamont continues to take steps to urge state residents to heed advice being offered by state and federal health officials.  He also authorized pharmacies, following specific guidelines, to compound and sell their own hand sanitizer to the public, in recognition of prospective shortages around the state.  The closing of the state’s public schools will continue through at least March 31.  Schools were also closed in Boston and New York City, extending into April. 

Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood (OEC) noted last week that “Families may need assistance with alternate hours or back-up care for children if their regular caregiver is unable to provide care, if schools are closed, or if their work hours change.”

 Families should be “proactive in looking for options to fill child care gaps, considering whether family members can work alternate schedules, or work at home,” the agency noted in a memorandum to providers of child care to young children, adding that “Child Care centers and homes may be able to extend their days or hours with notification to the OEC.”