FEMA Approves Disaster Declaration; CDC Issues Tri-State Travel Advisory

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Connecticut’s disaster declaration request March 29, unlocking additional aid for areas of the state impacted by the coronavirus.

The declaration makes federal funding available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures.

Impacted agencies, municipalities, and organizations will be reimbursed for 75% of the costs associated with their response and emergency protective measures.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s additional request for disaster relief, including funding for expanded unemployment benefits, food assistance, and child care, remains under review by the White House.

“I am grateful that the federal government is recognizing the severity of this pandemic in Connecticut and the impact it is having on the health and safety of the people of our state,” the governor said in a statement.

“I remain hopeful that our request for assistance for individuals will also be approved because this pandemic has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of so many people in Connecticut.”

Travel Advisory

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a domestic travel advisory March 28 for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut “due to extensive community transmission of COVID-19 in the area.”

CDC is urging all residents of the three states to immediately halt non-essential travel for the next 14 days.

The advisory was issued after President Donald Trump earlier Saturday said he was considering a quarantine for residents of the three states.

The president later posted on Twitter that “a quarantine will not be necessary,” saying he directed the CDC to issue a travel advisory after talking with the governors of the three states.

The President and Vice President called last night to say there will be no further talk of mandatory quarantine/lockdown, rather a strict travel advisory, which reinforces what we are already doing in Connecticut. #COVIDー19

— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) March 29, 2020

Lamont said Connecticut already has restrictions in place, with non-essential businesses ordered closed since March 23 and residents directed to “stay home, stay safe.”

“Regarding the president’s consideration of a quarantine of New York, as well as parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, our state has already called on residents to stay at home,” Lamont said in a statement.

“Further, if interstate travel is absolutely necessary, our state has directed travelers to self-quarantine to prevent against further transmission of the virus.”