JANUARY MASK MANDATE, ALLOCATION PLAN FOR ADDITIONAL COVID-19 TESTING
Published on January 03, 2022
HARTFORD, CONN. (January 3, 2022) – On Monday, in an effort to combat COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge, Mayor Luke Bronin announced that an indoor mask mandate would take effect in Hartford through the end of January, 2022. The order includes exceptions for those with relevant medical conditions, those under the age of 2, those eating or drinking, and in certain circumstances inside private offices and office-buildings.
Additionally, Mayor Bronin announced an updated allocation plan for added at-home test kits and KN95 and N95 masks, utilizing both the City’s current inventory as well as recent shipments from the State of Connecticut.
“We all hope that the Omicron surge will soon peak and that we'll see case rates fall, but with the current numbers, we've got to do whatever we can, even at the margins," said Mayor Bronin. "In putting this indoor mask requirement back in place right now, we're thinking first and foremost about those frontline workers who have no choice but to interact with the public at large, and who deserve whatever additional protection we can give them."
"Starting today, we'll also be making priority distributions of additional at-home COVID test kits as well as a significant number of N95 and KN95 masks," added Mayor Bronin. "We received approximately 9,000 new at-home test kits from the State on Sunday, and following our public distribution of 8,000 test kits last week, our priority right now is to support Hartford Public Schools teaching staff, along with staff and students at City of Hartford Early Learning Centers and the Family Child Care Network. We will also be providing an allocation of kits to the Hartford Housing Authority for distribution to staff and each of their households, and to elderly assisted living facilities and housing developments with home-bound seniors. Lastly, we will designate a supply of kits for City employees providing essential in-person public services, to help ensure continuity of government services during the surge.”
“We are all eager to put COVID behind us. Putting a temporary indoor mask mandate back in place for January will help to control the spread of the omicron variant and to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” said City Council President Maly Rosado.
The City’s current supply of at-home COVID-19 test kits will be allocated as follows:
- 3,500 kits for staff of the Hartford Public Schools, Early Learning Centers, and the Hartford Family Child Care Network
- 2,200 kits for staff and residents of the Hartford Housing Authority and of elderly assisted living facilities and housing developments with home-bound seniors
- 2,750 kits for City employees providing essential in-person public services, and for Hartford Public Library employees
- 500 kits for the staff and guests at City senior centers
- 2,000 kits to be held in reserve pending future allocations
In addition to at-home test kits, the City will also distribute thousands of KN95 and N95 masks purchased by the City to the same partner organizations this week.
A further shipment of additional test kits designated specifically for school students is anticipated later in the week from the State of Connecticut. An allocation plan for these materials will be announced after details are confirmed and the shipments are received.
Mayor Bronin added, “Test kits and masks are valuable tools in our ongoing fight against COVID-19, but the very best thing everyone can do to protect themselves and others from COVID is to get vaccinated or boosted. If you have not yet done so, go out and get your vaccine today.”