NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A new executive order took effect in New Haven Monday that makes sure workers have the proper protection against COVID-19.
The focus: businesses and COVID protocols.
The mayor told News 8 he wants to ensure that employees have a safe environment.
He said that, among the components to the policy, employers with in-person workers are required to develop a “return to work” policy as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Employers must report COVID cases to the city health department and must implement social distancing, employee health screenings, and mandatory leave protocols.
In a Zoom press conference Monday, Mayor Elicker said, “Our goal with this is to make it easy for businesses to implement this policy to keep employees safe…I don’t think there’s a widespread issue but there’s been enough of small issues with it that we want to make sure all employers are taking this seriously.”
The mayor says businesses not complying will be given warnings, and if that doesn’t work they could be shut down.
In the past few weeks, 12 warning letters have been issued to businesses in the Elm City for violations of COVID safety protocols. Additionally, three $100 infractions were handed out.
RELATED: 20 New Haven businesses issued warning letters, infractions based on COVID safety conduct
Mayor Elicker said Thursday, “We’ve noticed that a number of establishments are not properly doing health screenings for employees. Not properly advising employees when they’re symptomatic that they should go home, how long they should stay home for if they get a test or when they should return to work. So, proper return to work policies.”
The city’s health department has worked with the region and the state to develop a mass vaccination plan. It’ll be distributed in three phases: The first phase will focus on first responders and healthcare professionals.
RELATED: Gov. Lamont lays out phases of CT COVID vaccine distribution plan
New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond added, “What we do know at this juncture is that we will be making announcements for the different phases for the different populations as the vaccines become available.”
Again, Mayor Elicker said the executive order is meant to ensure that businesses are abiding by policies that both keep them in operation and protect their employees.
