CRPA is actively monitoring developments around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it is impacting parks and recreation departments across the state. This webpage will contain the most up-to-date information from public health organizations and federal and state government.
State of CT Press Releases, Executive Orders, & Updates
March 13, 2020
Press Releases from CT's Governor, Ned Lamont
Executive Orders from CT's Governor, Ned Lamont
State of CT COVID-19 Resource Page & Updates
Office of Policy Managment (OPM) Corona Virus Relief Funds (CRFs)
DECD Sector Rules
DECD Sector Rules Main Page - all PDFs for specific rules can be found here
Reopen CT Guidelines
Reopen CT Guidance from CT Department of Public Health
DECD Reopen Sector Rules - all guidlines and defines outdoor recreation
Reopen CT Guide for CT Camps - same info as memo 18 but nicer format
CT Phase 2 and 3 Reopening - May 20, 2020 Press Conference Slides
Governor Lamont Announces Members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group
Camp Resources
Executive Order 13G - Vaccination Mandate (superseds EO 13D)
Implementation Guidance for EO 13G (revised 9/16/2021)
OEC Memo 45 - Vaccination Mandate (revised 1/3/2022)
OEC MEMO 37: Guidance for Vaccinated Indaviduals Serving Children who work in Child Care, Youth Camp, Birth To Three & Home Visiting Program (revised 1/3/2022)
Executive Order 13A - Mask Usage (superseds EO 12A)
Executive Order 12A - General Mask Usage & OEC Mask Usage, Fines (supersedes EO 12) - 5/20/2021
*All memos from OEC can be viewed HERE
OEC MEMO 40: Sunsetting of 10 Memos - 5/7/2021
OEC MEMO 36: DPH & OEC letter to Local Public Health Directors - 3/15/2021
OEC MEMO 29: Update on Group Sizes & Masks - 3/15/20 - (20 children per group)
OEC MEMO 18: Youth Camp Guidance - 11/3/2020
OEC MEMO 6: Message from the State of CT Regarding Child Care - 3/15/2021
OEC Guidebook for Youth Camps - 3/31/2021
Executive Order 7B (#6) - flexibility to maintain adequate child care resources
Executive Order 7H (#1) - essential businesses
Executive Order 7Q (#1&2) - limited group sizes and enhanced health procedures in child care
Executive Order 7VV - Application for camps increased to 50 (from 30)
Executive Order 7N (#1) - social gatherings to 5
Executive Order 7X (#3g) - social gatherings to 5 extended
Executive Order 7PP (#3, 4, 6, & 7) - indoor fitness closure, social gatherings to 5 extended, camp operation and health procedures
Executive Order 7TT (#2) - sports no shared ball, social gatherings increased to 10 indoor and 25 outdoor
Executive Order 7ZZ (#2 & 7) - overturns no shared ball, changes group gathering sizes to DECD Sector Rules moving forward
Executive Order 7BBB (#5) - Authority to modify health procedures for camps and day care
Executive Order 9 (#1) - Updated mask use at childcare facilities
OEC: Youth Camp Informed Consent Form - Staff & Participants
OEC: Guidance for Unlicensed Camps During COVID-19 Pandemic - letter to municipal CEOs
OEC: Application for Approval for more than 50 Campers - per location
Definition of a youth camp per CT General Statutes 19a-420:
(3) "Day camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children who are at least three years of age and under sixteen years of age during daylight hours for at least three days a week with the campers eating and sleeping at home, except for one meal per day, but does not include programs operated by a municipal agency;
Old Guidance (saved for reference only)
OEC Guidance for Camps - Fancy Format
OEC Guidance for Child Care Programs - Fancy Format
ACA Camp Contingency Planning Chart
CDC: COVID-19 Schools and Child Care Guidance - overview
CDC: COVID-19 Youth Camps and Programs
CDC: DRAFT Federal Guidelines for Child Care and Camps
NPR Article Regarding Draft CDC Guidelines above
Camp Activities - US Games - Social distant or easily modifiable
Camp Activities - AsphaltGreen - Social distant or easily modifiable
Aquatics Resources
CT DPH Circular Letter to Local Pulic Health Directors - 2021-42 Updated Guidance for Operating Public Pools - All Guidance Lifted - 6/14/2021
CT DPH Circular Letter to Local Pulic Health Directors - 2021-30 Guidance for Operating Public Pools during COVID-19 - 4/19/2021
CT DPH Guidance for Operating Public Pools during COVID-19 - 4/19/2021
Red Cross Letter on Water Saftey During COVID - 3/18/2021
CT DPH Letter to Local Pulic Health Directors - 2020-45 Reopening of Pool June 17th dated 6/10/2020
CT DPH Letter to Local Pulic Health Directors - Overall Pool Guidance for Reopening 6/10/2020
Pool Water Capacity Calculation per DPH CT Public Swimming Pool Design Guide:
User Loading:
12.1: In order to compute swimmer and bather capacity the maximum number of persons who may be permitted to be within the swimming pool enclosure at any one time shall not exceed one person per twenty-five square feet of water surface area.
COVID Phase 2 reopeing June 17th calculation:
Surface Area (LxW) divided by 25. Then take that number and cut it in half.
12.2: In order to compute swimmer and bather capacity the maximum number of persons who may be permitted to be within the wading pool enclosure at any one time shall not exceed one person per ten square feet of water surface area.
COVID Phase 2 reopeing June 17th calculation:
Surface Area (LxW) divided by 10. Then take that number and cut it in half.
CT DPH Letter to Local Public Health Directors - Pools
CT DPH Letter to Local Public Health Directors - All Outdoor Recreation
CDC: Considerations for Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds During COVID-19
ARC: Learning Center (COVID Guidance)
ARC: COVID & Aquatics Scientific Advisory Council Answers
ARC: Guidance, Policies, and Course Offerings During COVID-19
ARC: Lifeguard Training Certification Extension (must be completed by each individual staff member)
USA Swimming - Facility Reopening Messaging & Planning
Guidance from the CMAHC on COVID
CDC Guidance for Parks and Recreational Facilities (including water)
CDC Considerations for Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds During COVID-19
Implements Executive Order 7V:
CT DECD Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employees
Facemasks Outdoors:
In workplace settings where employees are working alone in segregated spaces (i.e. cubicles with walls, private offices, etc.), employees may remove their masks. However, workers shall wear a mask or face covering from the time they enter the building until the time they arrive at their cubicle/work station and at any time they are leaving their work station and moving around common areas (i.e. in hallways and stairwells, going to the restroom or break room, etc.). For employees working in congregate settings (i.e. open manufacturing floors, warehouses, areas open to the public, shared offices, or similar settings), those workers shall wear a face covering as above, as well as when they are at their work station. In addition, continuous wearing of masks is not required in outdoor workspaces where employees do not regularly come within six feet of other employees.
Sports: Return to Play
DPH New Revised Winter Sports Guidance - 1/10/2022
DPH UPDATED Winter Sports Guidance - 12/22/2021
DPH Winter Sports Guidance - 11/29/2021
DPH Fall Sports Guidance - 9/1/2021
CIAC Fall 2021 Sports Guidance - 8/12/21
DPH Summer Sports Guidance - 5/19/21
DPH Spring Sports Guidance - 4/21/21
DECD Sector Rules Main Page - all PDFs for specific rules can be found here
Executive Order 9K (#4) - DECD to make Sector Rules for youth sports with DPH guidance
Executive Order 7ZZ (#2 & 7) - overturns no shared ball, changes group gathering sizes to DECD Sector Rules moving forward
Executive Order 7TT (#2) - sports - no shared ball, social gatherings increased to 10 indoor and 25 outdoor
Executive Order 7N (#1) - social gatherings to 5
Executive Order 7X (#3g) - social gatherings to 5 extended
Executive Order 7PP (#3, 4, 6, & 7) - indoor fitness closure, social gatherings to 5 extended, camp operation and health procedures
Executive Order 7D - closure of indoor sports and recreation facilities
CIRMA Sample Generic Waiver (with blanks)
CIRMA Sample Indemnification Agreement
CIRMA Sample Indemnification and Hold Harmless Template
CDC: Youth Sports Considerations
CDC: Physical Activity, Sports, and Recreation
Playing Tennis Safely: Guidelines for Players and Facilities - Updated June 4, 2020
Playing Tennis Safely During COVID - 1 page pictogram
USA Ice Rink Association - Return to Skate Guidance
National Federation of State High School Associations - Return to Play
Aspen Institute Return to Play
Facility Resources
CDC: COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces - overview
CDC: Workplaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Executive Order 7D - closure of indoor sports and recreation facilities
Executive Order 7BBB - (#4) - temporary commercial pesticide Junior Operator certifications without examination
Implements Executive Order 7V:
CT DECD Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employees
"Each employee shall be required to wear a mask or other cloth material that covers his or her mouth and nose while in the workplace, except to the extent an employee is using break time to eat or drink. Employers shall issue such masks or cloth face coverings to their employees. In the event an employer is unable to provide masks or cloth face coverings to employees because of shortages or supply chain difficulties, employers must provide the materials and CDC tutorial about how to create a cloth face covering, or compensate employees for the reasonable and necessary costs employees expend on such materials to make their own masks or cloth face covering."
Executive order 7BB - Cloth Face Covering
"Nothing in this order shall require the use of a mask or cloth face covering by anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition, a child in a child care setting, anyone under the age of 2 years, or an older child if the parent, guardian or person responsible for the child is unable to place the mask safely on the child’s face."
DEEP - State Parks and Boat Launches Operational Plan
DEEP - Letter to Municipal Officials
NRPA Phased Reopening Sample Plan
CT DPH: Green Cleaning in Child Care Settings
DEEP has clarified that you do not need a pesticide applicator license to apply EPA registered disinfectants. However, they must be used according to label directions as they are pesticides.
EPA Registered Products Known to be Effective Against COVID
CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
DAS: Guidance Regarding “Green Cleaning” Requirements and Coronavirus/COVID 19
Community Events & Mass Gatherings
DECD Sector Rules Main Page - all PDFs for specific rules can be found here
CDC: General Information & Updates
The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America
CDC Guidelines for Schools, Workplaces & Community Locations
CDC Guidelines for Mass Gatherings
Tracking Cases in the United States
CDC: COVID-19 Cases & Latest Updates
Event Gallery
