September 28, 2020
Last week Connecticut’s Governor, Ned Lamont, announced plans for the state’s Phase 3 reopening amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The structure of the Governor’s Phase 3 plan is to continue to progressively ease restrictions on businesses and gatherings, while ensuring appropriate precautions to limit the spread of the virus are maintained. Phase 3 is currently scheduled to go into effect on Thursday, October 8, 2020. However, it is important to remember this date could be pushed back should an unforeseen uptick in COVID-19 cases occur between now and then. (As of the time of publication, Phase 3 was implemented as planned.)
Business changes in Phase 3 will include:
- Increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors for restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries – subject to compliance with other COVID-19 safety requirements such as six foot social distancing;
- Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.) will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity while maintaining mask and social distancing requirements;
- Indoor performing arts venues will be able to open at 50 percent capacity with mask and social distancing requirements; and
- Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.
In addition, Phase 3 includes the following changes to the size of permitted gatherings:
Indoor | Outdoor | |||
Phase 3 | Current | Phase 3 | Current | |
Private – Social and Recreational | Occurs at commercial establishment / places of business: 50% capacity, capped at 100 people Occurs at private residence: Capped at 25 people | Capped at 25 people | Capped at 150 people | Capped at 100 people |
Graduations | 50% capacity, capped at 200 people Masks and social distancing required | Not allowed | 50% capacity; masks and social distancing required | One-time exemption capped at 150 people Masks and social distancing required |
Religious | 50% capacity, capped at 200 people Masks and social distancing required | 25% capacity, capped at 100 people | 50% capacity; masks and social distancing required | Capped at 150 people |
Note: The above table is based on one previously released by the State of Connecticut. We made certain modifications to the original to try to clarify it. We believe our table reflects the intent of the State, but the State has yet to confirm this. (click here to review the original table).
The subject matter of COVID-19 related posts are 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, 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.
