In December 2019, a new coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, China. It has since infected thousands across the globe, and the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic, which refers to how far it’s spread.
The new coronavirus causes a disease called COVID-19, with symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. It can be deadly, particularly in people over the age of 60 or with underlying health conditions. In response, companies have canceled events and ramped up efforts to avoid spreading misinformation. Scientists have tried to figure out exactly how the virus works, in the hopes that we can eventually develop medicine. And many people are staying at home to try to slow down the pace at which the disease goes through the population.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS DOING!What the City is Doing✓ TORRINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
✓ TORRINGTON LIBRARY
COVID-19 Updates and GuidelinesCOVID-19 Vaccination Information The library team, along with Charlotte Hungerford Hospital/Hartford Healthcare has created a user-friendly, easy to access webpage to help you navigate through the COVID-19 vaccination process in Torrington and Litchfield County. We understand that there is an overwhelming amount of information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a direct way to help you register for and schedule your COVID 19 vaccine through various Torrington based providers. Please be aware that this is strictly an informational page. If you have any questions, please call your local healthcare provider; the local health department; the local COVID-19 hotline at (833) 250-7633; view the Charlotte Hungerford/HHC website, or the 211 hotline. Librarians are not qualified to answer any COVID-19 questions, but we are able to point you in the right direction! updated: 8/22/2021 
✓ TORRINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief's Corner A Message from Chief Baldwin A message from Torrington Police Chief, William Baldwin Jr., during these trying times: Life in the time of Corona Virus is unprecedented, at least in most of our lifetimes (Spanish Flu, 102 years ago being the exception). We understand comparisons can be made with H1N1 in 2009 in terms of current statistics, but the overall impact on the daily lives of Americans were not as directly or widely affected as they are today. We also understand that with the current changes in the way we are living our lives, it’s an emotional time for everyone in our community. Stress, anxiety, frustration, confusion, anger, fear, or just the feeling of being overwhelmed are all normal. We all are feeling the same emotions to differing degrees regardless of our situations. If you are feeling this way there are a number of resources available to help you feel calmer and more in control (We will provide links for a few of those services below). With that being said, it’s also important to remember we live in a very mobile society where people can come and go freely. There are no restrictions on travel or movement and many of the people coming into our communities from other states are, and have been our friends and neighbors at get togethers on the weekends, and during the summer months for years prior to COVID-19. They will continue to be our friends and neighbors during this time in their adopted communities, our community, experiencing the range of emotions as we all are with the current set of circumstances. As we welcome our friends it’s paramount to recognize, and be mindful that they are aware of the inherent dangers of COVID-19 just as you and I do, and understand the need for social distancing, personal protective procedures and the importance to self-quarantine for the recommended 14 days regardless of where they are originally coming from. At the end of the day, these are our neighbors…our friends, doing the best they can (as we all are) with the circumstances that have developed over the past few weeks, and they will continue to be a part of our community long after we have beaten ‘Corona’, and transitioned back to normalcy. In closing, be patient, be understanding, be kind…just because we are all six feet apart shouldn’t prevent us from still doing what we’ve always done, coming together as the amazing community that we are, Torrington. Optum; Emotional support resources; https://www.optum.com/covid-19/covid-19-emotional-support.html Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress; https://www.cstsonline.org/resources/resource-master-list/coronavirus-an... Connecticut State Department of Mental Health; https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/Newsworthy/News-Items/DMHAS-Response-to-COVI... Stay home, Stay safe, William R. Baldwin Jr. Chief of Police [email protected] ✓ TORRINGTON Public Schools
Re-Opening Plan 2020 (DRAFT)
local Business✓ Apple Cinemas Torrington
✓ BURGER KING
As you can imagine, with the ever-growing concern for public health and the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have spent the last few weeks diligently learning about what we can do to keep all our guests safe when you come to our restaurants. The Burger King® brand operates more than 7,000 restaurants in the United States, and another 12,000 restaurants in 109 countries around the world, and we are working on several things to ensure we are doing our best for you.
Thank you for your incredible loyalty and always know that we will do our best to do the right thing for all of our guests at BK restaurants worldwide. With all my thanks, ✓ BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB
A note to members about safety and product availability Dear Members, I wanted to share with you steps we are taking to keep you safe and meet your families’ needs during the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation. The safety of our members, team members and our community is always our top priority. We are following recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local authorities in taking extra safety measures in all our locations. We have implemented enhanced cleaning procedures on top of our already high standards. We are cleaning high-traffic surfaces like shopping cart handles, bathrooms, checkout lanes and touchscreens with greater frequency, and have provided additional sanitization supplies in all clubs for member and team member use. Out of an abundance of caution, we also are temporarily stopping food sampling in our clubs. We have provided new health protocols and information for our team members. We’re reminding sick team members to stay home and have asked teams to restrict travel to only business-critical needs. We continue to share regular updates with our team members, so they know the latest information to keep themselves and you safe. We know many of you are shopping more in our clubs to buy essential items. Our teams are increasing shipments into the clubs and working hard to keep high-demand products like cleaning supplies, food and medicine in stock. To date, our clubs have had relatively limited instances of products being out of stock. However, despite our best efforts, there have been and will continue to be isolated situations where we are temporarily out of stock on an item. We ask for your patience as demand for some items currently exceeds our suppliers’ capacity to produce them. We may also limit the number of items per trip on select products to allow more members to purchase what they need. We are ensuring we can support your increased demand for digital services on BJs.com and on the BJ’s Mobile App, so you can shop however, whenever you want. These include: • Same-Day Delivery • Buy Online Pick Up in-Club Our core mission is providing outstanding value and service to you. We will continue to work hard to deliver on this commitment in the days ahead. Thank you for being a loyal member, Lee Delaney President and CEO ✓ McDonald's
On behalf of McDonald's® USA, I want to assure you that in times of uncertainty, the safety of our customers and people remains our highest priority.
Please know that we are keeping those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) in our thoughts while we closely watch the evolving situation. In the meantime, I want to inform you of the proactive steps McDonald’s and our franchisees are taking to ensure the safety in our restaurants across all our communities – in proactive partnership with local and national health authorities. For more than 65 years, McDonald's values of quality, service, and cleanliness have endured. Today, that same commitment guides all our actions. Specifically, we are:
We sincerely thank you for your continued business, and above all, for your trust in the Golden Arches. 
✓ Planet Fitness
03-16-2020
Planet Fitness (675 Main St, Torrington, CT) In response to the state-wide mandated containment effort, Planet Fitness locations in Connecticut will be temporarily closed effective 8 PM on Monday, March 16. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will reopen as soon as permitted. And don’t forget, starting today, Monday March 16th, tune-in to Facebook Live for FREE at-home workouts for anyone and everyone. Get moving with our trainers and even some surprise celebrity guests for a 20 minute or less workout because we know to stay healthy, we need to stay active. No equipment needed! Reference: https://www.facebook.com/Planet.Fitness.Torrington.CT/ ✓ PRICE CHOPPER (Market 32)
03-15-2020
✓ Republican American
03-17-2020
A note to readers from Publisher William B. PapeMarch 17, 2020 Dear Readers, Together, we face unprecedented times during this national emergency concerning the coronavirus. We understand now more than ever how critically important our local news reports are. This pandemic affects our schools, our churches, our businesses, our families, our lives. The times demand accurate, timely, useful information – the kind our hard-working clerks, reporters, photographers and editors deliver to you daily in the print edition and all day on rep-am.com. The situation is forcing changes in some ways we do business. Much of our news and advertising staff are working in the field and from temporary home offices, so we can limit the number of people at our main office at 389 Meadow St., Waterbury at any one time.For the same reason, we are, as of today, asking customers, readers and advertisers to do business by email and phone whenever possible. Obituaries can be emailed to [email protected]; wedding, anniversary and engagement forms and photos can be emailed to [email protected]. Questions for any department (news, subscriptions and delivery or advertising) or requests for a phone call back can be emailed to [email protected]. If you need to pay a bill in person or speak to someone directly, please first call 203-574-3636, speak directly to the department or the person you need to see, and make an appointment, to ensure someone will be available to help you. What’s important is that all of us to get through this together. We appreciate your support, and thanks for reading. Publisher William B. Pape ✓ VINNY'S
✓ Walmart
Editor’s note from Walmart website: 03-15-2020
Starting March 15, Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets will be open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. This will help ensure associates can clean and stock products. Stores operating under more reduced hours will keep current hours of operation.
03-15-2020
Dear Customer,
Keeping you and our associates safe is a top priority, so we wanted to share the steps we’re taking in response to coronavirus. With help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as our own Chief Medical Officer, we’re developing preventative measures to maintain a clean, healthy environment in our stores. First and foremost, we’ve ramped up cleaning efforts. Stores are cleaned daily, with sanitizing solutions used in high-touch, high-traffic areas. We also have associates dedicated to cleaning key areas throughout the day, and we’re sending additional supplies they can use at registers and on shopping carts. Second, we’re dedicated to keeping stores stocked and prices fair. We’re working hard to replenish cleaning supplies, paper products, and other in-demand items as quickly as possible—and at our everyday low prices. We’re taking a firm stance against price gouging from third-party sellers, so if you see it happening, please report your concern here. Third, we’ve asked associates who aren’t feeling well to refrain from coming in. We’ve also shared a new policy with them that provides extra flexibility to stay home, as well as pay options and support if they are affected by the virus. Finally, we want to remind you that there are lots of great ways to shop with Walmart. You may want to consider trying online delivery or store pickup options, as well as our app’s Walmart Pay feature, which you can use when checking out at the register. As always, we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Rest assured, we’re doing everything in our power to provide a safe shopping experience for our customers and a healthy environment for our associates and communities. Find even more information here. Sincerely, Walmart 03-13-2020
Due to the need to serve as many customers as we can during this time we will be limiting key items to only 2 per customer when they arrive at our store. This helps serve our entire community during this time. Any questions please ask for store management.
✓ Warner Theatre
The Warner Theatre continues to monitor the rapidly evolving impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) from all angles. Unwaveringly and without question, our top priority is the health and well-being of our guests, employees and community. We are closely monitoring the statements and following the guidance and recommendations from local, state/provincial and federal health agencies on COVID-19. Our Programming Updates: Starquest Regional Competition (3/27-3/29) - will be rescheduled, dates TBD Dogfight (3/28- 4/5) - will be rescheduled, dates TBD Seussical Jr. presented by Curtain Call Kids (4/9- 4/10) - will be rescheduled, dates TBD Nate Bargatze (4/2) - has been rescheduled to 6/17/2020 The Producers (5/2 -5/10) - has been rescheduled to 5/2021 Torrington Symphony Orchestra, Come Back to Sorrento (5/9) - will be rescheduled, date TBD Warner Theatre Annual Gala (5/16) - has been rescheduled to 8/29/2020 Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education Updates: The WTCAE will suspend all classes and private lessons through Monday, March 30, resuming a normal schedule of classes and lessons on Tuesday, March 31 providing public schools reopen. We are aligning our schedule with the Torrington Public Schools. Some ways you can continue supporting the Warner: Donate to our Annual Fund Purchase a gift certificate for a future event Become a Warner Member or Renew your Membership Donate your ticket purchase back to the theatre. Thank you for your patience and your patronage. We will continue to update you as changes occur. Community Services✓ Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc.
Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc. Hours M-Th 9-3 pm F 9-1 pm FHFB, the largest food bank in NWCT, serves the community by offering food assistance. Clients can call the food bank during normal business hours to make an appointment to sign up or receive food. A brief application process is required and food is available every 2 weeks upon appointment. ✓ LARC
✓ MONDAY, JULY 13,2020 - COVID-19 REOPENING UPDATE UNDER GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) AND THE CT DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES (DDS), LARC PLANS TO OPEN SLOWLY AND IN PHASES STARTING ON OR ABOUT JULY 15. FULL OPENING WILL TAKE PLACE WITH CAREFUL PLANNING OVER SEVERAL MONTHS DEPENDING ON AN INDIVIDUAL’S SITUATION AND GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE, AND AS COMMUNITY WORKSITES BECOME PREPARED FOR OUR RETURN. ADDITIONAL UPDATES AND INFORMATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE THIS WEBSITE AS WELL AS: CT DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES (DDS): HTTPS://PORTAL.CT.GOV/DDS CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC): HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/ LARC HAS SPOKEN WITH MANY FAMILIES, GUARDIANS AND INDIVIDUALS REGARDING OUR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR THEM AS WELL AS STAFF. AS WE HAVE BEEN EMPHASIZING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, OUR MAIN PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF INDIVIDUALS AND STAFF WHILE ALSO UTILIZING A PERSON-CENTERED PROCESS TO CREATE FLEXIBILITY AS WE ALL ADAPT TO A NEW NORMAL. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF READYING OUR 314 MAIN STREET OFFICES FOR LIMITED USE BY STAFF AND, OVER TIME, A SMALL GROUP FOR DAY SERVICES AS PART OF THE FIRST PHASE OF REOPENING (ALTHOUGH FOR NOW, THE BUILDING WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO VISITORS). SOME OF THE COMMUNITY WORK SITES WILL BE THE FIRST TO REOPEN, WITH GRADUAL REOPENING OF LARC’S INDUSTRIAL LANE AND PUTTER LANE SITES TO FOLLOW, CONTINGENT UPON CONDITIONS IN THE STATE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT REOPENED PROGRAMS WILL NOT LOOK OR OPERATE IN THE SAME WAY AS THEY DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE IMPLEMENTING HEIGHTENED CLEANING AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR PROGRAMS AND TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING: TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND SYMPTOM MONITORING OF ALL STAFF AND INDIVIDUALS DISMISSAL IF A STAFF MEMBER/INDIVIDUAL SHOWS ANY SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, INCLUDING A TEMPERATURE OF 100.4 OR HIGHER FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED BY EVERYONE, AT ALL TIMES SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FREQUENT HANDWASHING WILL BE ENCOURAGED THROUGH SIGNAGE AND WEEKLY UPDATES REGULAR VEHICLE CLEANING PROGRAMS WILL HAVE A REDUCED CAPACITY, WORKSITES AND JOBS MAY BE CHANGED, TRANSPORTATION WILL INVOLVE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND MEALS MUST BE READY TO EAT. THERE WILL BE NO UTENSILS, REFRIGERATION, NOR HEATING AVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WILL BE NO HOT WATER BEVERAGES. PRIOR TO RETURNING TO PROGRAM, MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WILL BE HELD TO ASSESS AN INDIVIDUAL’S WILLINGNESS, HEALTH ISSUES AND SAFETY COMPLIANCE ABILITY. A VIRTUAL TEAM MEETING BY CONFERENCE CALL OR VIDEO MEETING WILL INCLUDE THE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, RESIDENTIAL PROVIDER, CASE MANAGER AND LARC REPRESENTATIVE. THE TEAM WILL DISCUSS CURRENT MEDICAL STATUS, COMPLIANCE WITH PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, DETAILS OF RETURN TO WORKSITE/PROGRAM AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED INFORMATION. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS A PERSON’S ABILITY TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING A FACE COVERING AND ABILITY TO ACCLIMATE TO ALTERED PROGRAMMING WILL IMPACT HOW SOON RETURN TO A PROGRAM WILL TAKE PLACE. WHERE WE ENCOUNTER ISSUES, WE WILL WORK WITH EACH PERSON AND THEIR SUPPORT TEAM TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS. IF A PERSON CANNOT DEMONSTRATE THEY ARE ABLE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE, LARC MAY REVERSE THE DECISION FOR THEM TO RETURN TO PROGRAM AT A LATER DATE. A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR OR DAY PROGRAM COORDINATOR WILL MAKE CONTACT TO ARRANGE A RETURN TO WORK MEETING. WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE OUR COMMUNITY AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AS REOPENING PLANS ARE FINALIZED AND IMPLEMENTED. HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH OUR PLANS TO REOPEN. AS IN MARCH, ANY OF OUR PLANS MAY BE DASHED IF THE STATUS IN CT CHANGES. MICHAEL MENARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ✓ The Community Kitchen of Torrington
Due to the corona virus pandemic, the Community Kitchen will be serving one meal a day, seven days a week, from 11:30 - 12:30, AND a hot breakfast from 8 AM - 9 AM Monday - Friday. Meals can be picked-up outside the kitchen window until further notice. Please remember to keep social distancing!
The Community Kitchen of Torrington, Inc. is located on the corner of Prospect Street and Maiden Lane in Torrington. Healthcare✓ Columbia Dental
Dear Patients, We wish you to know that we take the Coronavirus pandemic very seriously and that we are doing everything to ensure your safety as well as our personnel. We are trained in infection control and continue to use that knowledge and action for your safety. If you are feeling ill we completely understand the need to cancel your scheduled appointment both for your benefit as well as our other patients and staff. We look forward to seeing you and taking care of you and your smile. (860) 482-0017 | Email us | Visit our website 1151 E Main St, Torrington, CT 06040 ✓ Community Health and Wellness - Torrington / Winsted
In the interest of the health and well-being of our patients and staff, we are allowing only one person to accompany a patient to their appointment, and only if it is absolutely necessary. If at all possible, children under the age of 18 should not be brought into our facility. ✓ QUEST
Delivery Service✓ PostAL SERVICE
Last Updated: March 14, 2020
Reader Comment: The post office offers a FREE service called "Informed Delivery®" whereby you can digitally preview your mail in your post office box. Signup at https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action Rob S. EcommerceWhat State and Federal Agencies are Doing...CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Department of Consumer Protection
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Public Health
Department of Revenue Services
edadvance
ANNOUNCEMENT
In compliance with state directives for social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all EdAdvance programs have been temporarily suspended as of Monday, March 16th until further notice. Our administrative offices are currently closed to the public, and all events and meetings have been cancelled until further notice. EdAdvance leadership is actively monitoring this situation in partnership with state and local officials and will post updates to this notice on our website. Should you be in need of further information, please reach out to the program contact listed on the website by email or call our central number at 860-567-0863. Governor Lamont
03/16/2020
Northeast Governors From Connecticut, New York, New Jersey Announce Collective Measures to Combat Spread of COVID-19 Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, and Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey today announced a regional approach to combatting the novel coronavirus – or COVID-19 – throughout the tri-state area. These uniform standards will limit crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people effective 8PM tonight (3/16/2020). This follows updated guidance that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more. The three governors also announced that restaurants and bars that serve food will temporarily be required to move to take-out and delivery services only. Bars that do not serve food will be required to temporarily close. These measures will take effect at 8PM tonight (3/16/2020). Finally, the three governors said they will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers, and similar public workout facilities and studios. New York and New Jersey will close commercial casinos effective at 8PM tonight (3/16/2020). Governor Lamont will do the same for the state’s physical off-track betting facilities, noting their willingness to voluntarily close. In addition, Governor Lamont and Governor Cuomo are strongly urging their tribal partners to close tribal casinos. This uniform approach to social distancing is meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Governor Lamont said, “We must do everything we can as a community to slow the spread of this virus so that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system and we protect the most vulnerable. Viruses do not know borders, which is why taking a regional approach on this issue is the best plan forward. A national approach to these measures would be the best option to slow and mitigate the spread of this virus.” Governor Cuomo said, “Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn't crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that. This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents ‘state shopping’ where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa. I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence we are taking this on ourselves.” Governor Murphy said, “With all we are seeing in our state – and across our nation and around the world - the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now. I’ve said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family. But if we’re all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn't just up to some of us, it's up to all of us.” Twitter: @GovNedLamont Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont
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