Wet Weather Deters Downtown Shoppers as End-of-Year Sales Continue
As sales marking the end of 2020 continue at shops on Main Street, wet weather and cool temperatures created a raw day to shop - detering the usual Sunday afternoon crowds.
Returning Home from Vacation: Quarantine, Get Tested, or Risk $500 Civil Penalty
Since December 19th, Governor Ned Lamont mandates that all Connecticut residents returning home quarantine upon return, receive COVID-19 testing, or risk receiving a $500 civil penalty from the Commissioner of Public Health.
The Executive Order does not apply to those who are returning from New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York, or other communities in Connecticut, and does not apply to those who visited affected states for less than 24 hours.
Adults and children must quarantine for 10 days upon their return to Connecticut. During this time, individuals may only leave their homes to pick up medications, attend doctors appointments, or to grocery shop. They are to avoid any public gathering or events, such as school, work, restaurants, or social engagements.
Individuals may leave quarantine if they receive a negative COVID-19 test and submit their proof to the Commissioner of Public Health. Quarantine may also be avoided if the individual tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days, has not been symptomatic in at least 10 days, and submits proof of previous infection and Travel Health Form to the Commissioner of Public Health.
“an Affected Traveler is exempt from the self-quarantine requirement if the Affected Traveler (1) has had a test for COVID-19 in the seventy-two (72) hours prior to arrival in Connecticut or at any time following arrival in Connecticut, (2) the result of such COVID-19 test is negative, and (3) he or she has provided written proof of such negative test result to the Commissioner of Public Health via email to DPH.COVID-Travel@ct.gov or via facsimile to 860-326-0529.” (CT.gov)
Approved testing includes PCR, rapid, or at-home tests. It does not include antibody testing.
Those who leave quarantine before the full ten days finish, or before receiving a negative result from COVID-19 testing, or fail to submit their Travel Health Form, may face a $500 civil penalty per-violation from the Commissioner of Public Health. Multiple violations may include leaving quarantine multiple times, or other failures to comply with the Executive Order. Civil Penalties may be contested through a hearing before the Commissioner of Public Health.
Anonymous reporting of individuals or businesses exhibiting non-compliance with Executive Order mandates is available online or by calling 211.
7.3 Million Dollar DOT Project Closes Beachside Avenue Bridge Tomorrow until September
The Department of Transportation will be closing the Beachside Avenue bridge over I-95 starting tomorrow, January 4th, and won’t re-open the roadway until late September. The project will replace the current bridge, re-aligning the intersection of Greens Farms Road and Beachside Avenue to form a “T” intersection to allow better fields of view to drivers turning onto Greens Farms Road from the new overpass. The project was announced in December, and will be completed by Rotha Contracting Company of Avon, costing $7,334,803.90.
Outdoor Riverside Workout
Members of the Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club on Riverside Avenue brought their workout outdoors this afternoon.