March 8, 2021
Last week, Connecticut’s Governor, Ned Lamont, announced plans to ease certain COVID-19 restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s phased approach progressively eases restrictions on businesses and gatherings, while maintaining appropriate precautions to limit the spread of the virus. The next phase of easing is scheduled for Friday, March 19th. However, it is important to remember the easing of these restrictions could be recalled should an unforeseen uptick in COVID-19 cases occur.
Although these moves are encouraging, the Governor did stress at last week’s press conference that all protocols related to face coverings, social distancing, and cleaning measures are being maintained, and people and businesses are urged to continue adhering to those health and safety procedures.
The protocols that will be revised include:
Beginning Friday, March 19, 2021
- All capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required:
- Restaurants (8-person table capacity and 11PM required closing time for dining rooms continues)
- Retail
- Libraries
- Personal services
- Indoor recreation (excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50% capacity)
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Museums, aquariums, and zoos
- Offices
- Houses of worship
- Gathering sizes will be revised as follows:
- Social and recreational gatherings at private residence – 25 indoors/100 outdoors
- Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues – 100 indoors/200 outdoors
- All sports will be allowed to practice and compete, and all sports tournaments will be allowed, subject to Department of Public Health guidance
- Connecticut’s travel advisory will be modified from a requirement to recommended guidance
Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021
- Capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20
Beginning Friday, April 2, 2021
- Outdoor amusement parks can open
- Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people
- Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity
- Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season
Protocols that will remain in effect until further notice include:
- Face coverings and masks continue to be required
- Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed
- 11PM closing time remains in place for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment
- Indoor theaters continue to have a 50% capacity
- Large event venues (e.g. stadiums) to open in April
The subject matter of COVID-19 related posts is often very technical. It is also an evolving area of law and very fact specific. Our goal here is to simply alert you to some of the key issues involved. We urge you to seek competent legal counsel before applying these ideas to your specific situation. Since March 2020, we have had a team of attorneys focusing on COVID-19 related developments and they continue to stand ready to help you with any issues involving the pandemic.
