LYME-OLD LYME — Updated 12:15pm Governor Lamont announced that his administration is partnering with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and its affiliate CONNSTEP on an initiative to distribute free face coverings to eligible, essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.“The more proactive measures we can take to prevent the spread of this virus and keep everyone healthy, the sooner we’ll be able to reopen operations,” Governor Lamont said. “We were able to secure over 4 million masks this week that have replenished our supplies and put us in a position to support small businesses. I appreciate our partners at CBIA and CONNSTEP for partnering with us on this effort to get those needed face coverings out to essential employees.”
Eligible essential small businesses can request up to two free face coverings per employee by filling out the form at this link.
Small businesses are strongly urged to create their own face coverings following CDC guidelines. This will ensure the limited supply of coverings go to small businesses that are struggling to secure their own supply.
Requested face coverings will be distributed next week through the municipality in which the business is located. The local municipality will then contact businesses with a date, time, and location to receive the requested masks. The distribution will continue while supplies last.
The initiative is intended to help small businesses comply with the governor’s executive order requiring dace coverings to be worn whenever social distancing is not possible, including in essential businesses.
Old Lyme Fire Marshal David Roberge explained to LymeLine this morning that he will be the person receiving a supply of masks from the state for Old Lyme-located businesses. He therefore will also be the person contacting Old Lyme-based businesses to arrange delivery of the masks after the business has requested masks on the form mentioned above. If business owners have any questions regarding the program, they should contact Roberge at 860-434-1605 ext. 231.
Roberge said, “If there’s a small business out there that we can help, then we want to do it.”