Klarides-Ditria offers update on state's response to COVID-19 pandemic

Dear Friend, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and some recent announcements including current plans for reopening our state in phases. ______________________________ Gov. Lamont Releases Rules for Businesses Opening May 20th Earlier this week Governor Lamont announced specific rules that eligible businesses falling under phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans must follow amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This first phase includes restaurants, offices, hair salons and barbershops, retail stores, and outdoor museums and zoos. You can find more specific information about the rules for each of these businesses at this link. _____________________________________________ Schools To Remain Closed Last week, Governor Lamont announced that due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person classes at K-12 schools in Connecticut will remain canceled for the rest of the academic year. There is still no determination regarding plans for summer school. You can read the announcement from Governor Lamont at this link. ______________________________ Unemployment Claims for the Self-Employed After weeks of waiting and several false starts, the “big RED button” for self-employed workers to file for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is finally live on the Department of Labor (DOL) website. This is a two-step process. You must first file for state unemployment benefits using the BLUE button and then file for PUA using the RED button. In addition, DOL recommends clicking on the GREEN button to sign-up for direct deposit. The system defaults to debit card benefits payment and that can take 10 days to 3 weeks to get. Direct deposit takes about a week.  For more information on how to apply for benefits under the PUA system, including step by step instructions, please read this press release issued by the Connecticut Department of Labor. You can go directly to the link for filing here. ______________________________ Useful Links and Resources As we continue to address the current COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I have been working to provide you with the most current information. Our office has created a page with information and links to resources and programs you might find useful during and after the coronavirus outbreak. You can read more here. I wanted to also remind you that the state of Connecticut has a comprehensive COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information information for individuals and businesses that you can view here as well as a 'Frequently asked Questions' document which can be found here. If you have any questions or concerns on these or any other issue, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700. I will be providing more frequent updates on my Facebook page, which you can find by clicking here.