On Thursday First Selectman Fred Camillo, in a tele-conference with local media, gave many updates on COVID-19 and the Town’s response, which he will do daily.
As of Thursday morning, he said Greenwich Hospital has tested at total of 250 people in the garage site.
Of those, 44 have returned positive.
It is not known how many of those positive results involve Greenwich residents, as the Hospital draws many patients from Westchester County.
Currently, there are 3 patients in the hospital and due to HIPAA regulations, the Hospital is prohibited from identifying hometowns.
As a reminder, Yale New Haven Health has established a call center, staffed from 7:00am to 7:00pm to answer any questions on Coronavirus: 1-833 ASK YNHH.
For people who want to be tested, they must call their doctor’s office and get a physician order. From there, they will be instructed as to how to make an appointment.
Camillo encouraged residents to make use of town parks for fresh air and exercise as a break from self-isolation.
He encouraged families to use the trails and take their dogs out for walks on a leash.
However he said, there will be enforcement against social gatherings, and if people continue to gather in groups for barbecues, for example, it could jeopardize the parks remaining open.
Leaf Blower Ordinance Modified Effective March 19, 2020
To protect the quality of life for residents who are maintaining social distancing at home, effective 6:00pm, Thursday, March 19, 2020, until further notice, premises located in the Town of Greenwich may only be serviced by one (1) gasoline-powered leaf blower, at any given time. This order modifies Town Ordinance Chapter 6b. Noise. Section 6b-6. – Prohibited noise activities. Currently, the restriction begins Memorial Day and continues
through Labor Day.
For those residents experiencing challenges with food, finances, and living arrangements, please call the Department of Human Services at 203-622-3800.
Officer directing traffic at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and Havemeyer. Jan 27, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Police Department is changing how they handle non-emergency calls for service to minimize exposure to officers.
When within close social distances with an officer, the officer may be wearing a face mask and or eye protection.
“We are not reducing the number of officers patrolling the Town of Greenwich,” Camillo said.
Officers assigned to traffic direction on Greenwich Avenue will be re-deployed to HQ to handle the non-emergency calls, provide a marked patrol in the central Greenwich business district and backfill other requirements.
Camillo urged residents NOT to flush disposable wipes in the toilet, but rather put them in the trash because disposable wipes can clog the sewer lines.
Building Inspection Division
The Building Inspection Division is accepting inspection requests for any inspection that does not require interaction with numerous persons. Outdoor inspections are being scheduled. Those inspections that require an inspector to enter a building or home will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The initial screening of an application will be completed via email. Click here for the forms/applications.
Please forward your original permit application, all necessary forms and any plans to [email protected] or call (203) 992-8910 with questions. Inspections should still be scheduled as described on your permit. Click Here for a detailed instruction sheet on the remote permitting process.
Highway, Sewer, and Engineering Divisions
To submit permit applications or schedule an appointment, please contact [email protected] or call 203-618-3001. Click here for the Sewer permit application form and instructions.
The Highway permit application form and additional information may be found here. Excavation and fill permits can be applied for through Engineering.
Click here for the application and more information.
Island Beach, June 10, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
The Parks & Recreation Department will be deploying staff to monitor the parks and beaches to ensure people are employing social distancing.
“Many people are home because of the closure of libraries, schools and businesses, providing them the opportunity to use our parks system,” Camillo said. “I cannot stress strongly enough that while it is advantageous and uplifting to experience nature, this is not an opportunity to gather with family and friends in public spaces.”
Camillo said if there continues to be an issue with groups gathering in the parks and beaches, he will be forced to make the decision to close all of those facilities as well.
The Department of Parking Services, with approval from First Selectman Camillo, is suspending enforcement of parking meters, daily parking fees at commuter lots, two-hour timed and 24-hour parking restrictions.
“We will continue to enforce all posted No Parking zones and remind drivers to be sure to keep crosswalks and fire hydrants clear,” Camillo said. “It is our hope that this small measure, which will remain in effect until further notice, will ease some of the burden Town residents and visitors are currently enduring.
Access Health CT New Special Enrollment Period
In response to COVID-19, Access Health CT announced a new Special Enrollment Period for these exceptional circumstances available from March 19 through April 2, 2020 for qualified uninsured Connecticut residents.
For more information, visit: https://learn.accesshealthct.com/
“With these uncertain times, Greenwich is demonstrating that we are members of a community that supports one another. We are resilient and making every effort to maintain the health and safety of our residents to ensure the spread of the virus is minimized by our collective and collaborative safety precautions,” Mr. Camillo said.
Daily updates also will be posted on the Town website’s dedicated page www.greenwichct.gov/covid19 which includes a link to subscribe to emergency alerts.
See also:
Greenwich Police Prioritize Services to Critical to Public Safety during the COVID-19 Crisis