On Tuesday First Selectman Fred Camillo issued a news flash asking residents and visitors not to visit town buildings if they are feeling ill.
Camillo noted his advice comes as the number of cases of coronavirus increases nationwide.
On Sunday Governor Ned Lamont announced that the first Connecticut resident had contracted the disease. The person is a resident of Wilton who had recently traveled to California. On Monday Lamont restricted travel for state employees.
“Everything we’ve laid out today we can do without a state of emergency,” Lamont said during a press conference at Bristol Hospital, which was built a century ago in response to the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.
Per Connecticut state law, declaring a public-health emergency would allow Governor Lamont to direct the commissioner of public health to order quarantines and vaccinations, though no COVID-19 vaccine exists.
Lamont also urged employers and residents to avoid large gatherings to limit exposure.
On Sunday Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced in an email to parents that out-of-state field trips would be suspended until further notice, and that because the possibility of remote learning is being explored, students should bring their devices home from school every afternoon.
Dogs and other pets do not get infected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, but they can pick it up on their “surfaces.” Dr. Pickerstein from Spot On Veterinary Hospital and Hotel advised pet owners to wash their hands and their dogs, and have someone else take care of their pets if they fall ill.
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Citing preventative protocols issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Camillo said in his release, “We are urging anyone who is feeling ill, whether with symptoms of the flu or any other illness, to stay home and not visit public buildings – whether it is Town Hall, the Senior Center, The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home or any one of our public schools.”
Camillo said the Town is installing additional informational signage and hand-sanitizing stations in public buildings.
Town Hall was sprayed with disinfectant on Saturday, March 7. This practice has been conducted daily at the Greenwich Senior Center since March 2 and will continue in the building until further notice.