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When determining eligibility for unemployment benefits, Connecticut’s Department of Labor is now allowed to consider whether returning to work during the cononavirus pandemic would pose an “unreasonable risk” to a person’s health or the health of their household.
When determining eligibility for unemployment benefits, Connecticut’s Department of Labor is now allowed to consider whether returning to work during the coronavirus pandemic would pose an “unreasonable risk” to a person’s health or the health of their household.
The latest executive order, signed by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday evening, pertains to claims covering May 17 through July 25.
According to the order, when there’s “an unreasonable risk to the individual’s health or, due to COVID 19, the health of a member of that individual’s household is established” the commissioner will determine that returning to work is “unsuitable for the individual.”
Lamont said Tuesday that his administration is trying to get people back to work safely, but he understands some may need more time. It’s unclear how many workers might be affected.
Some have criticized the idea, saying it could prevent businesses from reopening by supporting workers who don’t feel safe to return.
“Some people don’t feel like they can do it right now, so we’re giving them a little bit of breathing room so they can plan accordingly,” Lamont said. “And that’s what that executive order was meant to do.”
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or lead to death.
As of Tuesday, officials have reported 3,972 COVID-associated deaths in Connecticut, eight more than on Monday. Lamont said that marks the lowest daily death toll since March, which he called “extraordinary good news.”
New data also show the state’s rate of positive tests for COVID-19 is less than 3 percent. Last week, he said, it was less than 5%.
“These are all trends in the right direction,” Lamont said.
Fifteen local health departments are now using a contact-tracing platform, Josh Geballe, a senior Lamont aide, said on Tuesday. He said more are expected to come online in the coming days as state health officials field requests for additional training and make tweaks to the platform.
This new system is supposed to help identify virus hot spots and determine where to send additional resources in order to stem the spread of the disease. Geballe said this statewide effort is a departure for the local health departments, which previously used their own individual platforms.
