Dear Residents,

Madison currently has 12 active cases of COVID-19 in our community, continuing to span across several age groups and circumstances.  We also learned yesterday that a member of the Polson Middle School community tested positive for the virus. While it is disheartening to see cases related to our public schools, the District continues to feel cases are not as a result of school-based transmission and that Madison Public Schools can remain open.  Several of Madison’s cases in recent weeks have been tracked to sports-related activities; we strongly urge all parents, coaches and children participating in extracurricular sports to please exercise extreme caution and follow all safety guidance issued by the state and associated athletic leagues.  The continued safety of our schools depends on it. 

While Madison’s positive cases have remained relatively steady in recent weeks, we continue to see a very concerning rise in cases across the state and in neighboring towns.  As a result, the Governor announced Monday that the state will be rolling back from the current Phase 3 of reopening to Phase 2.1, which implements more restrictions on gatherings and restaurant capacities, among other changes.  For example, starting this Friday, local restaurants will be required to reduce indoor dining to 50% of capacity, and restaurant and entertainment venues will be required to close by 9:30 p.m., with the exception of take-out.  More details on the new requirements for businesses and for the public will be forthcoming along with any enforcement measures to be taken. The Governor is also urging all residents to remain home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and to continue to avoid unnecessary or non-essential travel between states at this time.  If residents visit any state on the advisory list for more than 24 hours, they are required to self-quarantine for 14 days or test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of their last contact with the outside state. To get the most updated policy information, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Travel.

Yesterday was Election Day and I want to thank all the poll workers, absentee counters, Registrars of Voters, and Town Clerk staff who made yesterday’s election efficient, safe and secure.  Their hard work and planning months in advance allowed Madison voters to safely exercise their most fundamental right as a citizen.  We are grateful for all of their hard work, under very challenging circumstances.  Final election results for the races impacting Madison are available on the Town of Madison’s homepage.  

And finally, as we move towards the holiday season, I just want to reiterate that we must continue to do everything we can to prevent a resurgence in our town.  Please continue to exercise caution and follow state directives on social distancing and mask wearing, both indoors and outside, particularly when social distancing cannot be maintained, and wash your hands frequently. If someone is feeling symptomatic, they should get tested and quarantine while awaiting results. Information on where to get tested can be found on the State’s 211 website at https://www.211ct.org/ where you can search for convenient testing locations throughout the state.  If you receive a positive test result, it is very important that you contact the Madison Health Department as soon as possible at (203) 245-5614. 

Stay safe, healthy and at home Madison.

Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman