COVID Previous Business Reopening Guidance Archive

Business Reopening Guidance


11-03-2020: Governor Lamont announces Connecticut will roll back to Phase 2.1 rules beginning Friday, November 6, 2020

Governor Lamont today announced that due to the steadily increasing rate of COVID-19 in Connecticut, he is ordering the entire state to roll back to Phase 2.1 rules – a slightly modified version of the previously enacted Phase 2 rules – effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 6.

The major changes that will occur under Phase 2.1 include:

  • Restaurants will reduce to 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 8 people limited to a table;
  • Restaurants and entertainment venues (i.e. bowling allies, movie theaters, arcades, etc.) will be required to close by 9:30 p.m., with the exception of food takeout and delivery services, which will be allowed to continue after 9:30 p.m.;
  • Personal services, such as hair salons and barber shops, will remain at 75 percent capacity;
  • Event venues will be limited to 25 people indoor, 50 people outdoor;
  • Performing arts venues and movie theaters will have a capacity of 100 people; and
  • Religious gatherings will be limited to 50 percent capacity or 100 people maximum.

Employers are reminded to maximize telework to the extent possible, and those over 60 and with chronic conditions are urged to remain home as much as possible.

The governor is expected to soon issue an executive order implementing Phase 2.1, and the Department of Economic and Community Development in the coming days will provide businesses with further guidance on the changes.

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Phase 3 represents the latest stage of the Governor's reopening plan for Connecticut. Phase 3 is in effect as of October 8, 2020.  There are very specific rules that will take place during this phase. 

Phase 3 business changes include: 

  • Restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries: Increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors. This is subject to COVID-19 safety requirements 
  • Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.): Increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity. This is dependent on the use of masks and social distancing requirements 
  • Indoor performing arts venues: These locales will be able to open at 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements in place 
  • Bars and nightclubs: These businesses will continue to remain closed. 

In addition, Phase 3 will see new changes applied to the size of gatherings: 

  • Indoor private gatherings at commercial establishment/places of business – 50% capacity, capped at 100 people
  • Indoor private gatherings at private residents – 25 people
  • Outdoor private gatherings – 150 people
  • Indoor graduations – 50% capacity, capped at 200
  • Outdoor graduations – 50% capacity of 6-foot spacing, no cap
  • Indoor religious gatherings – 50% capacity, capped at 200
  • Outdoor religious gatherings – 50% capacity and 6-foot spacing, no cap 

Click Here for the rules that apply in this phase.

Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Moves Toward Phase 3 Reopening on October 8, 2020

Governor Ned Lamont today announced details for his plans to move Connecticut into Phase 3 of the state's reopening amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The plan, which is targeted to take effect on Thursday, October 8, 2020, will ease some of the restrictions that were put into place on businesses and gatherings, while ensuring that the state continues taking a safe approach to limit spread of the virus.

Business changes in Phase 3 will include: 

Amusement Parks:  

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.) will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements;

Hotels / Lodging:   

  • 07/29/20 Hotels are now permitted to provide non-essential services and amenities (e.g., valets, ice machines).
  • June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Restaurants:   

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors - subject to COVID-19 safety requirements - for restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries.

Indoor recreation (e.g., bowling, movie theaters, etc.):  

Libraries:  

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors - subject to COVID-19 safety requirements - for restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries.

Museums, zoos, and aquariums:  

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.) will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements;

Offices:

  • 07/29/20 Changes impacting Offices, Personal Services, Hair Salons & Barbershops, Retail, Libraries, etc:
    • Non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. 
    • In the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19, it is recommended the business implement a 24-hour passive decontamination and follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. 
    • For bathrooms, the posting of signage encouraging reduced capacity and reminding individuals to wash their hands and wear masks is suggested.
  • May 20, 2020 Reopening Rules/Guidance (Link)

Outdoor events:  

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Outdoor event venues (e.g. amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.) will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements;

Personal services (e.g., nail salons, tattoo parlors, etc.):  

  • October 8,  2020 Phase 3: Increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors - subject to COVID-19 safety requirements - for restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries.

Retail & Malls:

Sports and fitness facilities (e.g., gyms, fitness centers, pools, etc.):  

  • 7/29/20 New rules for Indoor Recreation and expanded guidance for Outdoor Events.
  • June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol
    Social Clubs to follow all rules applicable to their operation (e.g. Restaurant, Pool)