Lamont Extends Most Executive Orders: What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont has extended the majority of his executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic through Nov. 9.

The order applies to all unexpired orders issued under the public health and civil preparedness emergencies unless they have a specific expiration date. Those with specific expiration dates will keep their date in place.

One key order that is set to expire before then is the eviction moratorium, which is due to expire on Oct. 1. Another part of the same order extended outdoor dining rule flexibility through Nov. 12.

The governor decided to extend the orders to Nov. 9 to allow time to consider which ones should be modified or canceled, said Max Reiss, communications director for Lamont.

“Rather than extending them all through the end of the declared emergencies, he wanted to provide for some flexibility and discussion with lawmakers and related stakeholders,” Reiss said. “It is possible some orders may be extended through to Feb. 9 while others may be cancelled sooner.”

The new executive order is Lamont’s 69th. Lamont’s orders came at a rapid clip with almost daily new orders in March and into April. They have slowed down since then; he has signed two so far in September, three in August and six in July.

Lamont’s executive orders are one of the primary ways state government has set rules during the pandemic. His orders have touched on mask use, school closures, business closings and several other items.

Lamont’s new civil preparedness and public health emergency declarations will last through early February. A committee of legislators voted 6 to 4 with Democrats in favor and Republicans against to extend Lamont’s emergency powers through Feb. 9. Democratic legislators on the committee argued that the current system of giving Lamont broad powers was working since the state is widely reopened and coronavirus activity is relatively low.

Republicans argued that the emergency powers were created to give government the ability to react quickly in a crisis, but they are supposed to have a time limit. Some Republican legislators argued that Lamont’s orders have reached too broadly beyond health and have touched on economic matters and private contracts between tenants and landlords and the right to sue in the case of nursing homes.