HARTFORD (AP) — Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Tuesday that will allow people to use the continuing COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to vote by absentee in any election, primary or referendum held before May 20.

The Democrat's latest order related to the public health and civil preparedness emergencies is similar to the order that allowed voters to use absentee ballots during the elections in 2020.

Lamont's new order also provides municipalities and regional school boards with additional flexibility in scheduling budget hearings, meetings, and votes to account for logistical challenges posed by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the state of Connecticut continues to see positive cases of COVID-19. On Tuesday, the state reported 1,074 confirmed or probable cases since Monday. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 235.9, an increase of 25.1%, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins.

The number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased by 21 since Monday to 505, while the number of COVID-associated deaths increased by seven to 7,930.

Lamont on Tuesday visited Hartford’s second walk-up, no appointment vaccine clinic for Hartford residents who are 18 years and older. The site is located at the Swift Factory, a commercial and community campus. The city held its first no appointment clinic last week at a Walmart parking lot and vaccinated more than 250 city residents.