CT Full Coronavirus Reopening: 5 Things To Know

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced that coronavirus business restrictions will end May 19 except for the state's mask mandate.

The move will make Connecticut by and far the most open state out of its immediate neighbors.

What are the two reopening phases?

May 1

Business curfews such as restaurants will be moved back to midnight.

Outdoor restrictions will be lifted. This means alcohol can be served without food, meaning bars can reopen for outdoor service. Table party size limits will also be eliminated outdoors

May 19

All business restrictions are lifted, except for the mask mandate indoors. Lamont also mentioned during a news conference that the mask mandate might be lifted for fully vaccinated people at some point, but he would have to talk to the state legislature about that.

Can towns roll back to stricter limits if they have a high infection rate?

“We’ve found that we’re a relatively small state, so we haven’t changed restrictions town by town,” Lamont said during a news conference.

The state will help with testing and increased vaccinations in hard-hit areas, he said.

Parts of the Naugatuck Valley including Waterbury are experiencing a high number of infections. Waterbury’s infection rate was 59 daily cases per 100,000 residents between March 28 and April 10, which was about double the state average.

How does Connecticut compare to other nearby states?

Massachusetts entered its fourth reopening phase on March 22. Large capacity sport and entertainment venues are allowed to open at 12 percent capacity. Connecticut will go to full capacity on May 19.

Gathering limits in public settings and event venues are limited to 100 people indoors and 150 outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people in Massachusetts.

In New York the gathering size limit is 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors at private residences. In public spaces the limit is 100 indoors and 200 outdoors. New York State also allowed restaurants and bars to be open until midnight effective April 19.

In Connecticut the private gathering size limit is 25 people indoors and 100 outdoors.

Could the reopening be potentially rolled back?

Lamont said that he would continue to look at hospitalizations and the infection rate in Connecticut, but barring a large increase the state would move forward as planned.

“So far over the last month, two months we’ve been going in a good direction,” he said at a news conference.

When do Lamont’s emergency powers expire?

Lamont’s public health emergency powers expire on May 20. The state legislature will have to decide what executive orders to carry over after that point.

See also: Grim Milestone: CT Passes 8,000 Coronavirus Deaths

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