HARTFORD, CT— Gov. Ned Lamont announced that as of 8 p.m. Thursday he’s ordering all shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys to close.
Lamont made the decision in concert with the governor’s of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“This is a fast moving and quickly evolving public health emergency, and making these kinds of important decisions as a region makes more sense than a patchwork approach,” Lamont said. “We will combat this virus by working together and remaining consistent across our borders and I’m proud to work with my fellow governors in this effort.”
The Judicial Branch also announced it was limiting the number of employees needed to come to courthouses.
Only one building in each of the 13 locations will be open for business.
Juvenile matters will be heard only in the Hartford and Bridgeport juvenile courthouses.
Chief Administrative Judge Patrick Carroll III said any employee not required to report to work should stay at home.
“Clearly, these are extraordinary times and require extraordinary measures,” Carroll said in a statement. “This next step in our mitigation strategy will provide each of you with an additional measure of personal safety and will significantly contribute to halting the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities.”
The Judicial Branch had already suspended jury trials and limited the types of business they handle in the courts. Carroll said it has already limited the rate of traffic in our courts, but he felt it was necessary to take further steps to protect the public and court personnel.
The Supreme Court, Ansonia-Milford, Danbury, Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Britain New Haven, New London, Stamford-Norwalk, Tolland, Waterbury, and Windham Judicial District Courts will remain open.
