EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 1 REGARDING CHILD CARE CENTERS IN THE TOWN OF HAMDEN
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the State of Connecticut declared a public health emergency and a civil preparedness emergency for the State of Connecticut, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 19a-131 and 28-9, in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 disease associated with a novel coronavirus that is currently affecting multiple countries and states; and,
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus that is currently infecting the population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Mayor of the Town of Hamden, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-8a(a) and 28-22a and Section 5-5 A. of the Charter, declared a public emergency for the Town of Hamden due to the significant danger to public health posed by the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public health and safety of the public as a result of the global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, due to the significant adverse impact on public health of COVID-19, the Mayor must take action for the purpose of ensuring civil preparedness and mitigating the adverse effects of this emergency situation upon the residents of Hamden; and
WHEREAS, among best practices and prescribed measures of mitigation in light of this public health emergency is social distancing; and
WHEREAS, under the powers granted by Connecticut General Statutes Sections 28-8a(a), and 28-22a, and Section 5-5 B. of Charter, the Mayor shall have and exercise all executive and administrative powers conferred upon any municipal chief executive during a public emergency ; and
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, pursuant to the powers and duties granted in the Connecticut General Statutes and the Charter of the Town of Hamden, in response to the public emergency now facing the Town of Hamden, and consistent with action taken by the City of New Haven today, and similar closures already made for Hamden Public Schools and Town of Hamden before and after-school programs, with the advice from the Town’s public health officials effective on March 18, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. any and all child care centers providing child care services for more than 12 children, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes 19a-77 et seq., shall be closed.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS FURTHER HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, in the interest of providing critically needed child care services for health care providers during this public health emergency, any child care center providing child care services for more than 12 children, including child care centers operated by acute care hospitals licensed pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Title 19a, Chapter 368v, or affiliates of such licensed hospitals, may continue to provide child care services for any child whose parent or legal guardian is employed as a health care provider, defined as “any individual who delivers care and services to the sick and ailing, as doctors, nurses, aides, helpers, transporters, technicians, pharmacists, and environmental services”; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, order shall remain in effect until the Hamden Declaration of Public Emergency is lifted (the” effective period”) unless amended or earlier terminated.
