General News & Updates
COVID-19 Updates
To date, CEMA has issued information and guidance on the state gouging laws that have been triggered, information on how to protect your employees and customers from the spread of the virus, and now information on unemployment.
We will continue to keep you up to date on state and federal actions that may impact your business.
If you need anything please let us know. Chris Herb can be reached at chris@ctema.com or 860-613-2041.
CEMA’s COVID-19 Heroes Nominations Now Open
We would like to thank all of our members for the important role you are playing during this public health crisis. As an essential business, you and your employees bravely face the public every day to make sure that they can fill up their cars, ensure that their...
Revised Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employers Issued
Governor Lamont signed an Executive Order that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of COVID-19. In addition to the Governors order the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has revised their Safe...
DEEP Issues Policy on Enforcement Discretion
The Department Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced a new enforcement policy that will provide broad leniency to regulated entities that encounter "extenuating circumstances" associated with the COVID-19 emergency that would prevent you from fully...
CARES Act Overview
As we've reported, Congress passed and the president signed into law the CARES Act last Friday. While we issued guidance on one part of the law yesterday, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that allows for forgiveable payroll loans, there are actually many more...
Apply for Free Money from the Feds
There are several key takeaways to this program. First, this is free money from the federal government and you should be applying for it. It's a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) through your local bank that can be forgiven in part or totally. But...
Tax Deadlines Extended – Sales, IFTA, Income, Business…
Connecticut Filing & Payment Deadlines for Sales Taxes Extended The Department of Revenue Services (DRS) announced that it is providing immediate tax relief to Connecticut small businesses. What small business taxpayers qualify for this relief? Taxpayers that...
Business Exemptions for Coronavirus Emergency
Connecticut Exempts Oil, Propane, HVAC and Gasoline Stations/C-stores
DECD List of Essential Business to Operate during COVID-19 Emergency
THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES DESIGNATED IN THIS GUIDANCE are not subject to the restriction set forth in Executive Order 7H that will require non-essential businesses to close at 8:00pm tonight (3/23/20).
• Commercial trucking
What if My Employee is Questioned about Travel During the Emergency
Several members have asked CEMA what happens if an employee is pulled over by law enforcement during the shutdown of non-essential businesses.
Who Should Work from Home
DECD and the Governor are asking that to the extent possible, employees of Essential Businesses whose duties are not critical to an Essential Business function should telecommute or utilize any work from home procedures available.Essential Employer & Employee Information COVID-19
While CEMA is waiting for the Department of Labor (DOL) to answer specific questions that our members have asked, we wanted to provide you information that has been issued on a number of unemployment issues that you should be aware of.
Here is some general information covering taxes, DMV, utility shutoff moratorium, unrelated to labor issues that you should be aware of:
- Governor Lamont has ordered that all public schools close starting Tuesday – ENTECH will follow suit and close until March 30th.
- The Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) is ordering the gas, electric, and water utilities to implement a Shut-off Moratorium from terminating service to residential customers.
- The CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) in coordination with the Small Business Administration will be providing small businesses with disaster loans up to $2 million.
- The Connecticut General Assembly has suspended all legislative business until March 30th.
- CT DMV issued a driver hours of service waiver for fuel deliveries in direct assistance to the emergency.
- DMV has extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits. March 10, 2020-June 8, 2020 are automatically covered by this extension. No late fees will be assessed for eligible credentials.
- The Governor has ordered that there will be no shutoffs or late fees associated with overdue cable and phone bills.
- The governor banned gatherings larger than 10 people and is working with other states in the region to close restaurants and bars
- CT has reduced the train schedule for the Shore Line East and Hartford lines, with both operating on a weekend schedule Monday-Friday
- Extensions were granted for the Pass-Through Entity tax (a levy for limited liability corporations and other small businesses not subject to the state Corporation Tax).
- Extensions also were granted for the Connecticut Unrelated Business Income Tax. Charitable organizations, social clubs, trade associations and certain other groups that are exempt from the corporation tax pay this other levy if that receive business income that is unrelated to their tax-exempt mission.
- Lamont announced he’s directed the Department of Revenue Services to extend tax return filing and payment deadlines for the state’s corporation tax. Returns for these taxes, which face deadlines between March 15 and June 1, all are extended for 30 days. Their respective payment deadlines also are extended for one month.
This is an unsettled situation for DOL and they are struggling to better respond and adapt to unemployment issues related to laid off employees
The latest guidance we are getting from our contacts at CT DOL is that everyone should file for unemployment, regardless of their current status and eligibility, in order to get their claims into the system. At some point in the future, they will be going into the system and assessing and evaluating each situation on a case-by-case basis.
- FOR WORKERS:To apply and file for unemployment Insurance benefits or get more information about the process and requirements please go to: filectui.com
- FOR EMPLOYERS & WORKERS:For more information about COVID-19 and federal FMLA from USDOL Wage and Hour Division go to: dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic
Latest Employer/Employee Updates
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C-Store Guidance
Our partners at the National Convenience Store Association have a website dedicated to resources that you can use to help C-store owners deal with the coronavirus.
This website contains information on how to conduct a risk assessment, emergency planning and response, and safety precautions & employer guidance.
Safety Precautions & Employer Guidance
NACS encourages C-store owners to become familiar with safety precautions from the CDC and WHO:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water (scrubbing for at least 20 seconds) and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue—discard tissue immediately into a closed bin
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home if you have a fever
- Be vigilant in cleaning common surfaces in the workplace.
The CDC suggests that employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 or a family member with a confirmed infection should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance on how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance to assess their potential exposure.
Latest C-Store Updates
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CDC Recommendations
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides specific recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of community facilities
The CDC also has guidance on Disinfecting Your Facility if Someone is Sick
Connecticut Local Health Department Issue Guidances
The Pomperaug District Department of Health issued a document that details on food service. The guidance is based on Gvoernor Lamont’s Executive order 7D.
CEMA recommends you consult with you local health district on any directives they have issued.
To locate your local health district go to – CT Local Health
National Industry Association Resources
The following websites are maintained by CEMA and our industry partners to help keep our members up to date on COVID-19.
Local Coronavirus Resources
Updates from the State on COVID-19
Updates from CT Dept. Public Health
Below is one of the most comprehensive websites providing information on the virus to keep you informed about its local spread and preparedness.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a website for businesses and employers to help them plan, prepare and respond to the coronavirus. Click below –
All Coronovirus News & Updates
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