Kellogg: Monroe Restaurants Should Ready Outdoor Dining

MONROE, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health has confirmed that 83 cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Monroe as of Wednesday, and 6 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

First Selectman Kenneth Kellogg issued an emergency directive on Wednesday that suspends certain regulations, and allows for administrative approval for restaurants to provide outdoor seating and service, so long as they comply with state rules and requirements.

In a news release, Kellogg said that he has tasked the town director of health to facilitate a process for restaurant owners to submit an "Emergency Outdoor Seating Plan," to be "reviewed by a small team for the purposes of protecting public health and safety."

"Plans will be reviewed expeditiously and there will be no fees charged,"Kellogg said. He has encouraged restaurateurs to start planning now so that they can be ready to open May 20 for outdoor dining.

Statewide, hospitalizations dropped by 55 patients Wednesday after a single day increase. Gov. Ned Lamont said he hopes Tuesday's higher number was just a one-day blip. There were another 85 coronavirus-related deaths and 374 positive cases out of 2,804 tests.