Housing for those at high COVID-19 risk

State officials are permitted to issue orders to provide housing for those who, due to their existing housing or working environments, are at higher risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 and seek reimbursement from the federal government for any incurred costs. Early on in the pandemic, the state paid to move people experiencing homelessness from crowded shelters to hotel rooms. “Providing non-congregate housing to people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations who might normally be housed in congregate shelters is essential to protecting these

populations, who are less likely to have been vaccinated,” Lamont’s executive order said.

Distributing federal funds

The state office of policy and management has the authority to distribute federal coronavirus relief funds to health care providers without the involvement of the legislature. The providers are required to submit reports to the state to ensure the money is spent on eligible expenses related to COVID-19.

Rules for schools, child care

The state commissioners of education and early childhood can issue rules on how schools and child care centers must operate. These include rules related to mask-wearing. “Operational and safety rules for schools and child care settings remain necessary to ensure the safety of children in those settings, all of whom remain ineligible for vaccination if they are younger than 12 years,” Lamont wrote in his executive order.

Out-of-network COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge to all Connecticut residents regardless of insurance or immigration status, but providers are allowed to seek reimbursement from a patient’s insurance plan for administering the vaccine. They cannot make patients pay a copay or other out-of-pocket fee for the vaccine. Under Lamont’s executive order, providers of COVID-19 vaccinations are not allowed to charge patients’ insurance more than the Medicare reimbursement rate for administering the vaccine if patients are considered to be out of network.

Commuter parking lots for testing, vaccination

The state has the flexibility to use commuter parking lots as locations for COVID-19 testing or vaccination efforts. The lots, Lamont noted in his executive order, are “convenient locations along major transportation routes.”

Emergency purchasing

State officials are allowed to waive normal contracting rules when obtaining “essential goods” to combat COVID19. “Maximizing the effectiveness of vaccine distribution to reach the portions of the population not yet vaccinated, and near-daily updates to information on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 requires the ability to work with existing vaccine providers, as well as the continuous flow of new hospitals, and other health care professionals to procure COVID-19 related goods and services in an expedited manner that is not supported by current statutory procurement restrictions,” Lamont’s order reads.

Masks indoors for the unvaccinated

Following the guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear masks indoors in Connecticut. Masks are also required for everybody in certain settings including hospitals and doctors’ offices and on public transportation.

Protections for tenants

While Lamont let Connecticut’s eviction moratorium expire on June 30, he issued an order with additional protections for tenants that include an extended appeal period and a requirement that landlords file for federal relief through the state’s Unitect program before evicting people for non-payment of rent. A federal moratorium on evictions will expire July 31.