EXECUTIVE ORDERS 9B AND 9C
On September 15, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont issued his Executive Order No. 9B, which authorizes local authorities to impose fines for violations of previously issued mask and gathering requirements. On September 17, 2020, the Governor also issued Executive Order No. 9C, which provides amendments to mandatory self-quarantine for travelers from states with high COVID-19 levels.[1]
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 9B: Authorization for the Issuance of Fines for Violations of Mask and Social Gathering Rules
Executive Order 9B authorizes local authorities to impose a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) on any person who fails to wear a mask or face covering in public or at any location where one is required under Executive Order No. 7NNN. The Order exempts any person with a medical exemption under Executive Order No. 7NNN or any person who maintains a distance of approximately six feet from others while in public. Under Executive Order 9B, if an employee of a business entity—which is defined as “a public or private corporate, a limited liability company, an unincorporated association, a partnership of any kind, or a sole proprietor—fails to wear a mask or face covering while at work, the business entity, and not the employee is responsible for paying the fine.
Additionally, Executive Order 9B imposes a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) on any person or business entity that organizes, hosts, or sponsors a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events. Likewise, Executive Order 9B imposes a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) on any person who attends a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events. -
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 9C: Amendments to Mandatory Self-Quarantine for Travelers from States with High COVID-19 Levels
Beginning on Friday, September 18, 2020, any traveler from a high impact COVID-19 state or country that travels to or returns to Connecticut, must self-quarantine for at least fourteen (14) days or for the duration of the person’s stay in Connecticut, whichever is shorter. A traveler from a high impact COVID-19 state or country is exempted from the self-quarantine requirement if the traveler has tested negative for COVID-19 in the seventy-two (72) hours prior to the traveler’s arrival in Connecticut.
Executive Order No. 9C also exempts an Essential Worker traveling to or returning to Connecticut from a high impact COVID-19 state or country. Under Executive Order No. 9C, an Essential Worker traveling to or returning to Connecticut from a high impact COVID-19 state or country is not required to self-quarantine if the reason for being in a high impact COVID-19 state or country was work related. If, however, an Essential Worker was in a high impact COVID-19 state or country for any reason other than work, then the Essential Worker is required to self-quarantine.
Additionally, any traveler from a high impact COVID-19 state or country is required to complete a Travel Health Form developed by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health.[1]
The form requires the disclosure of information such as:
- the name of the traveler;
- the last high impact COVID-19 state or country in which such traveler has spent twenty-four hours or longer,
- the last date of stay in such high impact COVID-19 state or country,
- the date of arrival in Connecticut,
- the address of the designated self-quarantine location in Connecticut,
- the length of stay,
- the address in home state or country, cell phone number, contact phone number while in Connecticut,
- the method of travel into Connecticut and information regarding accompanying minors.
Executive Order No. 9C also authorizes the imposition of fines for a traveler’s failure to self-quarantine or to complete a Travel Health Form. A traveler who fails or refuses to self-quarantine, fails, or refuses to submit a Travel Health Form or fails or refuses to complete a Travel Health Form truthfully or accurately shall be subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each such violation. A traveler from a high impact COVID-19 state or country who is accessed a civil penalty must appeal the penalty within ten (10) days of receiving the notice and the Commissioner of Department of Public Health is required to hold a hearing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice of appeal. A traveler’s failure to appeal the civil penalty within the time required under the Order will result in the penalty being accessed as final. The Department of Public Health has the discretion to modify or waive the civil penalty.
For further information on these Executive Orders and issues related to Covid-19, please contact Attorney Richard Dighello at (860) 548-2633 or rdighello@uks.com or Attorney Gideon Asemnor at (860) 548-2621 or gasemnor@uks.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this material is not intended to be considered legal advice and should not be acted upon as such. Because of the generality of this material, the information provided may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without legal advice based on the specific factual circumstances.
[1] Section 1 of Executive Order No. 9C repeals and replaces Section 1 of Executive Order No. 9B.
[2] A traveler can complete a Travel Health Form and submit it electronically at ct.gov/travelform.