(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as a considerable winter storm is anticipated to impact the early morning, rush hour commute, he is directing a delayed opening of state offices on Monday, March 4, 2019. All Level 2 state employees should to report to work at 10:30 a.m. Level 2 state employees include those who had been previously designated as “nonessential.”
“The overnight snow is anticipated to continue into the early morning hours right as commuters are driving to work. We want to ensure that our plow crews can clear the roads for everyone’s safety, so we are directing state offices to open on a delay,” Governor Lamont said. “If you absolutely need to be on the road on Monday morning, we’re asking everyone to take it slow and give yourself enough time to get to your destination.”
Background on change in terminology used for state employee designation levels
In March 2018, Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed an executive order modifying the terminology used to describe the designation levels of executive branch state employees during weather-related and other emergency situations. Previously, state employees had been designated as “essential” or “nonessential” based on their respective job duties. Under this executive order, the term “essential” was changed to “Level 1” and the term “nonessential” was changed to “Level 2.” Today’s weather event is the first time this new terminology is being used. All state employees are advised to note that these terms will continue to be used going forward.