Here Are The CT Reopening Rules For Restaurants, Retail, Salons

CONNECTICUT — On May 20, Connecticut malls, restaurants, and hair salons may open, but with strict guidelines. Nail salons will remain closed as will bars, gyms, hotels and inns.

Providing a snapshot for the full guidelines that are expected Friday night or Saturday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont was joined by Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman who spelled out what the “new normal ...for now” will look like.

Lehman said that “May 20 may look a lot like May 19,” noting that it’s up to businesses to decide what’s best for them.

Lehman also serves as Lamont’s senior economic advisor.

“It’s too early to tell, but my expectation is this will go very slowly ... baby steps.” He said there will be less crowded retail and less crowed restaurants.

“It’s safety first,” he said. “The lens we’re looking through is public health and is science-driven.”

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Connecticut increased by 627 to 32,411 and the number of deaths rose by 77 to 2,874. Also, the number of new hospital admissions declined by 49 to 1,327 in Connecticut. Currently, 120,541 residents have been tested thus far.

Lamont said that with testing at a higher level, the percentages of positive cases being “pretty low” and hospitalizations being down “is very, very good news for us.”

“This is about the metrics and allows us to have some confidence going forward. But it’s also behavior,” he said, pointing to states that have reopened and saw spikes in cases as social distancing and other mitigation efforts became too relaxed and guidelines were either not in place or were ignored.

“I'm confident given the facts we have today we’re making the right decisions,” he said. “That said, I'm never confident with what will happen with COVID.” But it was noted that gatherings of five or more will continue on May 20 and residents 65 and older or those with underlying medical issues continue to stay home.

“Don’t go back to work. That’s really important across all these businesses,” Lamont said adding that if there’s not already existing language about vulnerable populations and others not going back to work and remaining eligible for unemployment, “there will be.”

Meanwhile, the shoreline towns are grappling with how to open, or not open, their beaches. Lamont said the state is ”working on it” with municipalities about guidance on beaches and parks.

So, businesses that may open and choose to do so must comply with the guidelines the state has laid out to safeguard employees and customers.

See update: Full Details On What Businesses Need To Do Before Reopening on May 20 In CT Released

Restaurants

Restaurants that choose to open can only serve outdoors, tables must be six feet apart, allow for only 50 percent capacity, the bar area must stay closed, dance floors also must be closed and payments should be contactless if possible. High-contact areas and bathrooms must be cleaned frequently, tables and chairs must be sanitized between guests, only paper menus or whiteboards/chalkboards, silverware must be packaged or rolled and hand sanitizer must be omnipresent. Employees and customers must wear face masks, the latter except when eating and servers must wear disposable gloves that they change frequently.

Lamont said that they’re working to ensure that restaurants that have indoor liquor licenses are able to use them outdoors.

There is also very detailed and specific guidelines for seating, entrances, and signage, and visual social distancing markers among myriad other requirements.

Retail stores

Fitting rooms stay closed, physical barriers at checkouts, social distancing markers, contactless payment is preferred, self-serve counters are closed. Like restaurants, hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes, frequent cleanings especially of high-contact areas, and stores can only be at 50 percent capacity. Employees and customers must wear face masks.

Personal services: hair salons and barbers

Hair is by appointment only. No waiting rooms, no lines. All workstations must be six feet apart or have barriers between them. Masks and face shields must be used and blow dryers are forbidden. All tools must be soaked in disinfectant between clients. Employees must wear hair protection, every customer must have a clean smock and, this might be among the hardest thing to do in a salon or barber shop, “limit conversation.”

Nail salons are not permitted to open yet.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said she has met with salon owners and the plans are a work in progress.

She said the Women’s Development Council and 120 nail and hair salon owners spoke where concerns were expressed about how they could maintain social distancing in the salons.

“The governor and I have heard you and we want to know what you think. We have time to tweak and make adjustments. What you have to say is critically important if you do decide to re-open.”

Enforcement likely by local law enforcement and through licensure action

Lehman and Lamont said that the guidelines would be enforced and “codified in executive order next week.”

And, Lehman said, businesses will have to “attest to rules before opening.”

As far as who will be enforcing the rules, it’s “still being worked out” but Lehman said “we have to look at local officials for enforcement.”

“We’re focused on public health here,” he said. “Licenses could be revoked for non-compliance.”

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