Following the confirmation of a resident testing positive for COVID-19, First Selectman Mike Freda today declared a state of emergency in the Town of North Haven.

Freda’s first act under the state of emergency was to close the town’s parks and its recreation facilities.

Freda had earlier held off on declaring a state of emergency, which allows the town to take actions to control the spread of the disease, stating he would await a confirmed case in the town’s borders. That confirmation came shortly after noon today, March 27.

The town’s order follows:

WHEREAS, the Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Freda, does find:

1. That as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and the State of Connecticut, the Town of North Haven is facing a dangerous public health emergency; and

2. That effective today, March 27, 2020 it has been determined that at 12:30 PM the Town has been informed of its first known case of coronavirus infection within the Town; and

3. That COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death and to reduce spread of COVID-19, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus and to slow transmission of the virus; and

4. Effective immediately, Chief Elected Official, Michael J. Freda, has hereby declared that a State of Emergency now exists throughout said Town of North Haven; and

5. IT IS FURTHER DECLARED AND ORDERED that during the existence of the State of Emergency the Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Freda, shall exercise those powers, functions and duties prescribed by State law, the Town of North Haven Charter, and all applicable ordinances, resolutions, specials acts, and the Town of North Haven Emergency Operations Plan in order to minimize the effects of said emergency; and

6. As a result of the State of Emergency, Michael J. Freda has ordered effective immediately all parks, playscapes, fields, turf fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and the like shall be closed. The North Haven High School Track and Town Green will remain open, provided there is absolutely no congregation of groups and social distance is maintained. Our Police will take notice and enforcement action.