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03/27/2020 12:00 AMOn March 24, the White House Coronavirus Task Force urged New Yorkers leaving the metro area, with plans to hunker down in other parts of the country, to self-quarantine for 14 days, to ensure they aren't passing the virus. The warning was made due to the high rate of infections in New York City.
Given this shoreline town's proximity to New York City, on March 27 Zip06/The Sound reached out to Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove about the issue.
"We expect that all people would adhere to the best practices put forward by the CDC and the health department; and when traveling from an area that's high risk, practice best measures which not only include social distancing but self-quarantine," said Cosgrove.
East Lyme, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook were among the first to remind out-of-state visitors that they need to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor their health during that time. On March 25, East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson posted a video on his Facebook page asking those coming into the community to self-quarantine. The same day, Old Lyme posted a message to "Returning Summer Residents," stating in part, "...summer residents may be returning to the shoreline to try to escape the hazards of COVID-19. If you are returning to Old Lyme from traveling or from an affected metropolitan area, please take precautionary measures to protect yourself, your seasonal neighbors, and the community-at-large against the spread of COVID-19. When you arrive in town please voluntarily quarantine yourself and other traveling family members for 14 days and monitor your health." Similarly, on March 27, Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna issued a press release including the following note: "If you have recently moved your family to Old Saybrook from another location—any location—please consider sheltering in place for 14 days to prevent further community spread. With so many second homes in our community, this has become an area of major concern for our town."
Cosgrove also said he wanted to express his appreciation to the Branford community for showing support of all requests being made of everyone to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
"While we recognize that there is a threat and it is starting to spread; there are measures that are taking place [and] those that are adhering to them are not only doing their part in protecting not only themselves and their family, but the neighbors and their fellow residents of the town – so that those who do unfortunately become infected have the ability to receive the proper health services needed," said Cosgrove.