NEW HAVEN, CT – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker issued a state of emergency amidst the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. New Haven health officials have also been notified of a second confirmed New Haven resident having COVID-19.
Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:
Given the growing spread of this virus in our city, state, and country, I am declaring a state of emergency in the City of New Haven to protect the public health of our residents. There is no doubt that COVID-19 will continue to spread in our community, and I will take every measure appropriate to limit exposure to our residents. I have also made the decision to close City Hall to the public tomorrow, and indefinitely. We are curtailing all activities except critical functions until further notice. City employees that are not critical to operations will be notified that they should not report to work. Over the next several days, our team will be evaluating our employee safety and operations protocol, in addition to increasing options for teleworking where possible. If you are a member of the business community, I strongly encourage you to have only essential employees report to work, provide options for employees to telework and do what you can to support paid leave and reduce any chance of further spread of COVID-19.
As of this morning, we have a second confirmed case of COVID-19 and a third presumed case. The two New Haven residents had been exhibiting systems of COVID-19. Since they initially did not meet the CDC travel criteria, they were not tested but told by the New Haven Health Department to self-isolate as a precautionary measure. One of these two residents’ symptoms worsened, and the individual admitted themselves to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where they were tested and confirmed to have COVID-19. The other individual is considered a presumptive case and has been hospitalized as of this afternoon, but we do not yet have laboratory confirmation of COVID-19. Both individuals will continue to be monitored by the New Haven Health Department, and we will continue to inform you of any updates regarding the situation.
Read the full text of the emergency order below, or follow this link: http://bit.ly/nhvsoe
DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the State of Connecticut declared a public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency for the State of Connecticut, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 19a-131 and 28-9, in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 disease associated with a novel coronavirus that is currently affecting multiple countries and states; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus that is currently infecting the population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the effects the transmission of COVID-19 has resulted in the spread of infections in Connecticut and throughout the country, as well as resulting in shortages of personal protective equipment and other supplies that could jeopardize public safety and civil preparedness; and
WHEREAS, in response to the issuance of declarations of a public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency by the Governor of this State, and a national emergency by the President of the United States, and the spread of COVID-19 to at least one resident of the City of New Haven as a result of the global pandemic, the Chief Executive of the City of New Haven, its Mayor Justin Elicker, hereby finds that a state of emergency now exists in the City of New Haven; and
WHEREAS, due to the significant danger to public health posed by the spread of COVID-19 and shortages of supplies and equipment necessary to protect the public health and safety, the Mayor must take action for the purpose of ensuring civil preparedness and mitigating the effects of this public health emergency situation upon the residents of the City of New Haven.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 28-8a(a), 28-1(8), and 28-22, and Chapter 11, Section 11-23 et. seq. of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of New Haven, that a state of emergency now exists in the City of New Haven; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, during the existence of said emergency, the Chief Executive of the City of New Haven, Connecticut, its Mayor, the Honorable Justin Elicker shall assume the powers, functions and duties prescribed and provided by law, including but not limited to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 28-8a(a), 28-1(8), and 28-22, and Chapter 11, Section 11-23 et seq. of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of New Haven, and may take such action as necessary to protect the public health and mitigate this emergency; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that this state of emergency shall remain in effect until September 14, 2020 unless terminated sooner; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that this order shall be available for review and inspection in the Office of the Town Clerk of the City of New Haven during regular business hours and shall be posted on the City website.
