(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is ordering all State of Connecticut executive branch office buildings closed to the public on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, due to the significant winter storm that is anticipated to impact the state throughout the day.

For the duration of this storm-related closure, the governor is directing that:

1. All level 1 executive branch state employees should report to work as scheduled or directed;
2. All level 2 executive branch state employees whose job duties can be completed remotely should telework, or they may request use of accrued leave; and
3. All level 2 executive branch state employees whose job duties cannot be completed remotely should not report to work in-person.

The terminology used for state employee classifications was established through an executive order issued in 2018. Level 1 state employees include those who were previously designated as “essential” based on their respective job duties. Level 2 state employees include those who were previously designated as “nonessential.”

The governor’s storm-related directive applies to executive branch offices. Decisions regarding the operations of offices within the judicial and legislative branches are made by the leaders of those respective branches of state government.

“The timing of winter storm is of particular concern, especially considering that snowfall rates are expected to be heavy during the morning rush hour commute and continue through the afternoon,” Governor Lamont said. “Out of an abundance of caution, I am directing all executive branch state office buildings closed to the public on Tuesday. Level 2 state employees who work in those buildings should stay home, and those who can complete their jobs remotely should work from home for the day. I strongly encourage everyone in Connecticut to stay off the roads on Tuesday unless absolutely necessary, particularly during the height of the storm so that plow crews can clear the roads and keep everyone safe. Please check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or need assistance, to make sure they are safe.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has more than 600 trucks and more than 900 drivers prepared to respond to the storm and clear the roads.

For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares. That website also contains a useful list of contact information for each of the state’s utility companies, should a customer experience an outage.