On May 8, Gov. Ned Lamont released sector rules for the anticipated May 20 reopening of several types of Connecticut businesses. The rules address various requirements that businesses must adhere to in order to reopen next week. Specific rules were released for several industries including restaurants, personal care/hair salons, museums and zoos, retail and malls, and offices. This advisory focuses on the specific rules for offices seeking to reopen on May 20 and should be applied in the context of other applicable federal laws, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules on employee protection.
General guidelines
Any office intending to reopen on May 20 must self-certify that it complies with sector rules prior to opening. According to the Connecticut online portal, the certification system came online on May 10. Offices unable to certify compliance with sector rules should delay reopening until they are able to fully comply. While adherence to the sector rules is critical to reopening, Lamont also notes that the rules are a minimum baseline of necessary precautions and businesses should take additional measures as may be indicated by industry guidance or common sense.
Offices allowed to reopen on May 20 will be limited to 50 percent capacity. Employees are still encouraged to work from home wherever possible, and those deciding or being asked to return to the office should be fully aware of the potential risks of returning. Employees over the age of 65 or with preexisting health conditions are strongly encouraged to remain at home.
Shared/common spaces
Businesses that are tenants should coordinate with building owners to ensure compliance with sector rules. Landlords are responsible for shared/common spaces used by tenants, and tenants are responsible for individual workspaces/offices.
Reopening your office
General
Training
Cleaning
Layout/structure
Personal protective equipment
Employee health
For more information, please visit the CT Business Reopening and Recovery Center.
For more Day Pitney alerts and articles related to the impact of COVID-19, as well as information from other reliable sources, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Center.
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.
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