2 New Actions Taken By CT Health Officials As COVID-19 Cases Rise

CONNECTICUT — As the COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut hovers around 9 percent this week, state officials announced two new orders, which impacts the licensing of health care professionals from other states, and the masking of student-athletes.

State Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, released two statements concerning each topic, which you can read in its entirety below.

Connecticut Department Of Public Health Temporarily Suspends Requirements For Licensed Health Care Professionals From Other States

In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has temporarily waived the state’s license requirements for certain out-of-state health care professionals looking to practice in Connecticut, state officials said in a news release.

The order has been issued by DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD and suspends for a period of 60 days, the requirement of licensure, certification or registration for health care professionals who are appropriately licensed, certified, or registered in another state or territory of the United States and the District of Columbia, officials said.

The 60-day period will not extend past Feb. 15 if the public health emergency is not extended, officials said. The temporary suspension of licensure, certification, or registration to practice in Connecticut applies to:

• Physicians
• Physician assistants
• APRNs
• Registered nurses
• Licensed practice nurses
• Psychologists
• Marital and family therapists
• Clinical and master social workers
• Professional counselors

“Health care staffing shortages are a nationwide issue. This order offers some immediate relief to support Connecticut’s health care infrastructure by authorizing licensed health care providers from other states to immediately work in Connecticut upon the order’s execution,” said Juthani. “The professions authorized include those who provide critical mental health services which are in high demand.”

Juthani said that this is the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic that DPH has temporarily suspended the licensing requirements for out of state health care professionals—a similar order was issued on March 23, 2020.

Any out-of-state professional must comply with all provisions of the order to practice in Connecticut, including that they are in good standing in their home state and have appropriate malpractice insurance, officials said. The order permits both in-person practice and telehealth services provided that the practitioner complies with the requirements of the recently enacted Public Act 21-9 that regulates telehealth providers.

Additionally, Juthani stressed that any out of state licensed provider who practices in Connecticut during this temporary order should apply for a Connecticut license to help ensure that the care they are providing does not abruptly stop once the temporary order expires and the practitioner’s authority to practice in Connecticut ends. Practitioners may visit www.ct.gov/dph and click on “practitioner licensing” to begin the online application process.

Statement From Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, Regarding Masking All Athletes Regardless Of Vaccination Status

"Due to the rapid emergence of the new highly transmissible omicron variant, the Connecticut Department of Public Health is halting guidance that would have allowed fully vaccinated athletes, coaches, and officials to participate in athletic competitions without masks as of Dec. 23," state officials said in a news release.

"Although a previous assessment was made by DPH that would have allowed the choice for fully vaccinated participants to unmask during sports competitions, the rapid rise in COVID-19 community case rates and the emergence of this more contagious variant has forced us to reconsider that assessment. Guidance that has been in place for winter sports throughout this season will remain in place.

"In line with our neighboring states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, DPH is advising that all participants continuously wear a mask over the nose and mouth during all indoor athletic activities to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our state and region," state health officials concluded in their statement.

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