Businesses adapt to new order, people urged to stay home

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut businesses adapted to new social distancing guidelines Tuesday, and state lawmakers were planning to continue work on an assistance package for small companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak despite the postponement of the legislative session.

More than 400 people in Connecticut have tested positive for the virus, and 10 patients have died.

The vast majority of people recover from the virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

A look at developments in Connecticut:

BUSINESS ADAPT

Small business owners were making adjustments on Tuesday, the first full day under an order by Gov. Ned Lamont that directs nonessential businesses to prohibit all in-person functions and urges people to stay home.

Bicycles East in Glastonbury remained open because repair shops are considered essential businesses. But they are not letting customers into the store.

Co-owner Deb Dauphinais said they are having people call from the parking lot and drop off and pick up their bikes using racks on the sidewalk out front. She said they instituted that policy because it was hard to practice social distancing inside.

“I was backing up a lot,” she said.

Hosmer Mountain Beverages was still delivering soda and bottled water to customers across eastern Connecticut. Bill Potvin, the 73-year-old co-owner of the company that started in 1912, said much of their business comes from restaurants and that has taken a huge hit.

“We sell a lot of the the syrup which goes into the machines to make the soda," he said, adding that they haven't sold any in two weeks.

Potvin said most of its employees are over 60 and he worries about...