New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Announce Cooperation on Restaurant and other Closures — No Agreements Yet with Massachusetts or Rhode Island

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According to the Office of the Governor, the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have agreed that as of 8 p.m. Monday night “restaurants and bars that serve food will temporarily be required to move to take-out and delivery services only. Bars that do not serve food will be required to temporarily close,” in the tri-state region.

Governor Ned Lamont, in conjunction with the governors of New York and New Jersey, have decided to close all movie theaters, gyms, fitness centers and public workout facilities and studios.

“We must do everything we can as a community to slow the spread of this virus so that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system and we protect the most vulnerable,” Lamont said. “Viruses do not know borders, which is why taking a regional approach on this issue is the best plan forward. A national approach to these measures would be the best option to slow and mitigate the spread of this virus.”

According to Stephen Mansfield, executive director of Ledge Light Health District, although schools will be closed across Connecticut, as of now daycare facilities are permitted to remain open.  

These multi-state closures are part of a regional approach focused on the metro New York area, but does not include Connecticut’s neighboring states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

As of Sunday, March 15 there were 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut, none located in either Middlesex or New London County.

Cooperation between Rhode Island and Connecticut authorities came under scrutiny this weekend, when news of a positive test for a Rhode Island resident attending a Stonington daycare center, spread on social media in the region Thursday night and Friday morning, before health officials in Connecticut were informed of the result.

No other children in the area have been diagnosed as of yet and the state has yet to announce any collaboration with public health officials in Rhode Island, said Av Harris, director of government relations, public policy and communications for the Connecticut Department of Public Health.