New COVID-19 Connecticut Executive Order Requires Face Coverings in Public and Business Locations

On April 17, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued emergency Executive Order No. 7BB, which requires people in public places in Connecticut to cover their mouths and noses with a mask or cloth face covering if they are not able to maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person in public settings. In addition, people must wear a face covering when using "any taxi, car, livery, ride-sharing or similar service or means of mass public transit, or while within any semi-enclosed transit stop or waiting area."

Governor Lamont also ordered the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to issue rules regarding the use of face coverings in Connecticut stores and workplaces. The Commissioner updated the Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employers, which now require each employee to wear a "mask or other cloth material that covers his or her mouth and nose at all times while in the workplace." Employers are obligated to issue masks or face coverings to their employees. If this is not possible, "employers must provide the materials and CDC tutorial about how to create a cloth face covering, or compensate employees for the reasonable and necessary costs employees expend on such materials to make their own masks or cloth face covering."

Executive Order No. 7BB does not apply to anyone for whom wearing a face covering would be contrary to his or her health and safety because of a medical condition, children in a childcare setting, or anyone under the age of two years. The Executive Order goes into effect at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20.

In addition, Executive Order 7BB announces a further postponement of presidential primaries in Connecticut to August 11.

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COVID-19 DISCLAIMER: As you are aware, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, things are changing quickly and the effect, enforceability and interpretation of laws may be affected by future events. The material set forth in this document is not an unequivocal statement of law, but instead represents our best interpretation of where things stand as of the date of first publication. We have not attempted to address the potential impacts of all local, state and federal orders that may have been issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.