By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
(Jan. 20, 2022) — As you may have heard, the federal government has launched covidtests.gov, which allows households across Connecticut and the country to order COVID-19 rapid tests for delivery to their homes. Upon arriving to the website, the user can submit their address and information for four COVID-19 rapid tests to be delivered to their address through the post office. The orders, which will be free, are expected to be shipped in late January, helping families navigate the remaining Omicron wave of COVID-19.
Also, on covidtests.gov, you will find links to next steps should you get a positive or negative test result and a frequently asked questions page with more information about the COVID-19 test ordering program.
I know many families have been trying to get tested for COVID-19 as we experience another surge in cases. A reminder that there are free, no-appointment COVID-19 testing sites throughout Connecticut, including in our area.
- Colchester Federated Church – 63 Linwood Ave, Colchester
- RHAM High School – 85 Wall St, Hebron
- Cross Street AME Zion Church – 440 West St, Middletown
- Saybrook Point – 115 College St, Old Saybrook
Click here to view the site list and find out regular open hours of the sites.
Please take a couple more minutes to read about developments to support special education services in schools and small businesses. Also, an important notice about when visiting nursing homes in Connecticut.
Nursing Home Visitors Must Be COVID Vaccinated or Test Negative
Under a new executive order issued by the governor, all nursing homes in Connecticut must require visitors to either show their vaccination status against COVID-19 or show a recent negative test in order to enter the facilities. Visitors can show paperwork from a rapid COVID-19 test with a negative result taken within 48 hours, results from a PCR test completed in the previous 72 hours, or take a rapid test at the nursing home.
Any visitor who tests positive for COVID-19 or refuses to take a rapid antigen test will be denied entry; however, if a visitor is willing to take a rapid test on site but is unable to do so because the home does not have rapid tests, they cannot be barred from entering. Accordingly, the Department of Public Health plans to distribute 50,000 rapid tests to nursing homes specifically for safe visitation on January 21. The executive order will take effect on January 22.
Small Business Update
Businesses Can File Annual Reports Directly At Business.CT.Gov
Businesses filing annual reports can quickly and easily file at business.ct.gov, helping them avoid paying unnecessary fees and aiding them in getting reports filed well before the March 31 deadline for applying. In the late fall, some businesses reported receiving mail from third parties seeking fees to file annual reports, but those fees are not necessary when applying online. The annual fee for report filing is $80 for LLCs and varies by other types of business. Business.ct.gov allows businesses to avoid extra fees and directly file with the state, cutting through potential roadblocks.
Deadline for Disaster Loan Applications After Hurricane Ida Damage – January 28
The Small Business Administration recently announced that businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters in Connecticut eligible for physical disaster loans caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in early September 2021 have a deadline of January 28 when applying for physical property damage relief. Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to those in New London County, which includes Colchester and Lyme, along with Fairfield and New Haven counties who experienced damage from Hurricane Ida. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in Connecticut’s five remaining counties.
Businesses and nonprofits can receive up to $2 million in loans to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets; homeowners can receive disaster loans valued at up to $200,000; and homeowners and renters can apply for up to $40,000 for loans to replace or repair personal property. Loan applications are available online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ under SBA declaration 17258. More information and application forms can also be obtained by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov, with loan applications also available at www.sba.gov/disaster for download.
Local Updates
Cold Weather to Persist in Connecticut Through Early February
The governor recently extended a five-day activation of the state’s severe cold weather protocol through to February 2, made necessary by current weather predictions that see cold air squalling over Connecticut for the next few weeks, with highs generally expected to be in the 20s and lows expected in the teens or even single digits. There’s also the capacity for “arctic outbreaks,” which will be cold snaps where highs don’t go above the teens and overnight lows can dip into the negatives, especially with wind. While winter is widely known for cold weather and snow, this weather is extreme compared to typical conditions. Remember to layer up and stay warm, keep an eye on the weather forecast and if you or someone you know is in need, call 2-1-1 for access to a shelter.
RiverCOG Holding Second Virtual Meeting: Regional Housing Plan
RiverCOG will hold its second public presentation and workshop on the creation of a Regional Housing Plan for towns in the region Monday, January 24 at 7 p.m. The event, to be held virtually over Zoom, will feature analysis of regional housing needs. Register in advance at www.rivercog.org/projects/rhp or visit www.rivercog.org/rhp to learn more about the plan.
