Connecticut Requires Masks or Face Coverings in Public, at Essential Employers

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has issued an Executive Order mandating all persons in public places use masks or cloth face coverings if they are unable to, or do not, stay at least six feet from any other person. This also applies to employees reporting to work at essential employers. Those employers must provide masks or face coverings to their employees or provide materials, or reasonable compensation for the materials, to make masks.

Exceptions

The Order excepts from the mandate:

• Children in daycare, children under the age of two, and older children if a mask cannot safely be placed on the child’s face; and
• Anyone whose health or safety could be jeopardized by the use of a mask or face covering because of a medical condition (such person cannot be required to produce medical documentation verifying the medical condition).

Employer Obligations

Essential employers must provide masks or face coverings to their employees or provide materials to make masks using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tutorial.

Alternatively, if the employees secure their own mask-making materials, the employer must compensate them for the reasonable cost of the materials.

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development guidance provides that employees of essential employers must wear masks or face coverings “at all times while in the workplace.”

Jackson Lewis has a dedicated team tracking and responding to the developing issues facing employers in this difficult time. If you need guidance in handling the complicated issues pertaining to COVID-19, please contact a Jackson Lewis attorney to discuss.