ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE

At 8:00pm this evening (Fri. March 20th), Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order 7H that will require all non-essential businesses and not-for-profit entities to reduce their in-person workforces at all workplace locations by 100% effective this Monday night, March 23, 2020 at 8:00pm.
The order incorporates and references the “Guidelines for Essential Industries” that was published by the US Department of Homeland Security which defined specific essential businesses and entities that provide essential goods, services or functions. Including:
 
  • Petroleum drilling, extraction, production, processing, refining, terminal operations, transporting, and retail for use as end-use fuel
  • Retail fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops, and the distribution systems that support them
  • Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrator
It also prohibits any municipal official from issuing any order that is not consistent with this order by the Governor, or any previous orders to ensure a consistent and coordinated response state-wide to the emergency.
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 this order. That guidance will be released over the weekend.
 
“At this critical time it is essential that everyone just stay home so we can contain the spread of this virus while keeping essential services running,” Governor Lamont said. “I know that this will be disruptive to many and will bring many daily activities to a halt, but the only way we will be able to mitigate the impacts of this public health emergency is to take measures like this. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation, and I especially want to thank the essential workers who are needed to keep critical services running.”
 
The governor is calling this his “Stay Safe, Stay Home” initiative. The plan recommends that state residents do the following:
 

1.     Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 23, all non-essential businesses statewide should close; 

2.    Non-essential public community gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason should be canceled (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time; 

3.    If you must leave your home, do not travel in groups – groups must be limited to workers providing essential services; 

4.     Everyone should keep at least six feet away from each other whenever possible; 

5.     Businesses and entities that provide other essential services should implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet; 

6.     Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people; 

7.     Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders; 

8.      Sick individuals should not leave their home except to fill critical needs or to receive medical care, and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health; 

9.    Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and 

10.   Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using soap and water, hand sanitizer, or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds works best.
 
The businesses for which this order applies shall include, but not be limited to, the 16 critical infrastructure sectors as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which are available at www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors. For more information, refer to the text of the executive order.
Since CEMA does not fall under the definition of “ESSENTIAL” and “CRITICAL” we will be closing our office, but we are still here to serve you ANYTIME you need us!
The entire staff has full access to our computer server, e-mail, and phone system from our homes. Members will not see a difference in any of the services that we offer.
If you need ANYTHING you may contact us at –
President, Chris Herb, 860-615-4130 or chris@ctema.com
Vice President, David Chu, 860-615-4129 or chu@ctema.com
Members Services Coordinator, Nickey Kollie, 860-308-1461 or nickey@ctema.com
Bookkeeper, Cheryl Pallman, 860-239-0336 or books@ctema.com
School Administrator, Kate Lennon, 860–893-0605 or kate@entechtraining.org
Day Instructor, Ed Almedia, 860-893-0606, ed@entechtraining.org
Evening Instructor, Joe Buchas, 860-893-0607