On March 20, 2020, The Governor issued Executive Order 7H, directing all businesses and nonprofit entities in the State of Connecticut to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely employ. That order also directed that, no later than March 23, 2020 at 8 p.m., each non-essential business or nonprofit entity (and therefore not including or applicable to any state or local government agencies, quasi-public agencies, political subdivisions or other entities that do not constitute businesses or nonprofits) shall reduce the in-person workforce at each business location by 100% from pre-state of emergency declaration employment levels. Executive Order 7H authorized the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (\u201cDECD\u201d) to provide legally binding guidance about which businesses are essential. Pursuant to that directive, DECD hereby issues the following guidance concerning which businesses and nonprofit entities are \u201cessential\u201d for purposes of Executive Order 7H.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing in this guidance shall be deemed to modify or supersede any current or future Executive Order that separately and specifically addresses a particular business or activity. Specific businesses or activities separately addressed by other current or future Executive Orders issued pursuant to the current declared public health and civil preparedness emergency must comply with any such orders unless and until those orders are modified or terminated separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES OR NONPROFITS DESIGNATED IN THIS GUIDANCE are not subject to the in-person restriction set forth in Executive Order 7H. With respect to non-essential businesses and nonprofits, this guidance applies to each business location individually and is intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and the steps they may take to request that designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The guidelines set forth here apply to places of business. Non-essential businesses may continue activities that are conducted off-site (e.g. a customer\u2019s home) and\/or by telecommuting or working from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pursuant to the Governor\u2019s Executive Order 7J, issued on March 22, 2020, 1) non-essential retailers may be staffed on-site, provided that they may only offer remote ordering (e.g. phone, internet, mail, dropbox) and curb-side pick-up or delivery and 2) non-essential businesses and nonprofits to allow staff or third parties on site to the minimum extent necessary to provide security, maintenance and receipt of mail and packages. This includes, but is not limited to, auto, boat, bicycle, recreational vehicle, and all other vehicle sales, if conducted remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To the extent possible, employees of Essential Businesses whose duties are not critical to an Essential Business function described below should telecommute or utilize any work from home procedures available to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For purposes of Executive Order 7H, \u201cessential business,\u201d means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Essential workers in the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors, as defined by the federal Department of Homeland Security unless otherwise addressed in a prior or future executive order pertaining to the existing declared public health and civil preparedness emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Healthcare and related operations including:
\u2022 biotechnology therapies
\u2022 consumer health products and services
\u2022 doctor and dentist offices
\u2022 elder care, including adult day care
\u2022 health care plans and health care data
\u2022 home health care workers or aides
\u2022 hospitals
\u2022 manufacturing, distributing, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, including research and development
\u2022 medical marijuana dispensaries and producers
\u2022 medical supplies and equipment providers, including devices, diagnostics, services, and any other healthcare related supplies or services
\u2022 medical wholesale and distribution
\u2022 nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
\u2022 pharmacies
\u2022 physical therapy and chiropractic offices
\u2022 research and laboratory services, including testing and treatment of COVID-19
\u2022 veterinary and animal health services
\u2022 walk-in-care health facilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Infrastructure including:
\u2022 airports\/airlines
\u2022 commercial trucking
\u2022 dam maintenance and support
\u2022 education-related functions at the primary, secondary, or higher education level to provide support for students, including distribution of meals or faculty conducting e-learning
\u2022 hotels and other places of accommodation
\u2022 water and wastewater operations, systems, and businesses
\u2022 telecommunications and data centers
\u2022 transportation infrastructure including bus, rail, for-hire vehicles and vehicle rentals, and garages
\u2022 utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. All manufacturing and corresponding supply chains, including aerospace, agriculture, and related support businesses<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Retail including:
\u2022 appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
\u2022 big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health products, or operate a pharmacy
\u2022 convenience stores
\u2022 gas stations
\u2022 grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
\u2022 guns and ammunition
\u2022 hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales\/repair
\u2022 liquor\/package stores and manufacturer permittees
\u2022 pharmacies
\u2022 pet and pet supply stores<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Food and agriculture, including:
\u2022 farms and farmer\u2019s markets
\u2022 food manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities
\u2022 nurseries, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores
\u2022 restaurants\/bars (provided compliance with all applicable executive orders is maintained)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Services including:
\u2022 accounting and payroll services
\u2022 animal shelters or animal care or management, including boarding, grooming, pet walking and pet sitting
\u2022 auto supply, repair, towing, and service, including roadside assistance
\u2022 bicycle repair and service
\u2022 building cleaning and maintenance
\u2022 child care services
\u2022 critical operations support for financial institutions
\u2022 financial advisors
\u2022 financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing services
\u2022 funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
\u2022 insurance companies
\u2022 laundromats\/dry cleaning
\u2022 legal and accounting services
\u2022 mail and shipping services
\u2022 marinas and marine repair and service
\u2022 news and media
\u2022 real estate transactions and related services, including residential leasing and renting
\u2022 religious services (subject to Executive Order 7D limiting gatherings to 50 people)
\u2022 storage for Essential Businesses
\u2022 trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing
\u2022 warehouse\/distribution, shipping, and fulfillment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including:
\u2022 food banks
\u2022 homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
\u2022 human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support social service agencies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Construction including:
\u2022 all skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, and plumbers
\u2022 general construction, both commercial and residential
\u2022 other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
\u2022 planning, engineering, design, bridge inspection, and other construction support activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of all residences and other buildings (including services necessary to secure and maintain non-essential workplaces):
\u2022 building cleaners or janitors
\u2022 building code enforcement
\u2022 disinfection
\u2022 doormen
\u2022 emergency management and response
\u2022 fire prevention and response
\u2022 general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
\u2022 home-related services, including real estate transactions, closings, appraisals, and moving services
\u2022 landscaping services
\u2022 law enforcement
\u2022 outdoor maintenance, including pool service
\u2022 pest control services
\u2022 security and maintenance, including steps reasonably necessary to secure and maintain non-essential businesses
\u2022 state marshals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including:
\u2022 billboard leasing and maintenance
\u2022 child care services
\u2022 essential government services
\u2022 government owned or leased buildings
\u2022 information technology and information security
\u2022 logistics
\u2022 technology support<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Defense
\u2022 defense and national security-related business and operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the function of your business is not listed above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request designation as an Essential Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function as described above, should ONLY be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To request designation as an Essential Business, please click here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restrictions on requesting designation as an Essential Business:
\u2022 Any business that only has a single occupant\/employee (e.g. attendant) is deemed exempt and need not submit a request to be designated as an Essential Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n