Capacity at Connecticut restaurants, hair salons, libraries, and certain outdoor and indoor event and performing arts venues will increase beginning Oct. 8, while bars and nightclubs will remain closed to prevent possible spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday.
Given Connecticut’s low COVID-19 infection rate, which has hovered around 1% for weeks, the Democrat said he believes the state is also ready to increase the size of allowable indoor and outdoor gatherings, so long as people continue to be cautious and take steps such as wearing face masks, social distancing and washing their hands.
“I think this is something we ought to be ready to do,” said Lamont during his coronavirus briefing with reporters, noting the state did not see any spikes in cases after it began allowing restaurants and other venues to gradually reopen.
Under the plan, indoor capacity at restaurants will increase form 50 percent to 75 percent, with eateries required to keep diners 6 feet apart or partitioned by plexiglass or other material. Capacity at libraries and businesses that provide personal services, such as barbers, will also increase from 50 percent to 75 percent.
Indoor performing arts venues will now be allowed to open beginning Oct. 8 at 50 percent capacity, with required masks and distancing. Meanwhile, capacity at outdoor event venues, such as amphitheaters and race tracks, will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent, with masks and distancing. Most stand-alone bars and nightclubs remain shuttered.
Indoor social gatherings at commercial establishments will be capped at 100 people or 50 percent capacity while gatherings at private residences will continue to be capped at 25. Graduations and religious gatherings will be capped at 200 people or 50 percent capacity, with masks and social distancing.
Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman estimated that about 99 percent of Connecticut’s economy will have reopened once the Oct. 8 changes take effect.
Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said the expanded capacity is “another important step in Connecticut’s nation-leading efforts to respond to COVID-19 in a safe and responsible manner.”
He noted in a written statement that limited indoor dining began on June 17 and the state has since maintained its transmission levels at some of the lowest in the nation.
“Like the rest of the country, Connecticut is not out of the woods of this pandemic by any stretch, but we’ve proven that it’s possible to be mindful of our local economy at the same time we keep our residents as safe as possible,” he said.
