New Details Released On Fines For Violating CT's Mask Order

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday that he would enact an executive order which would lead to fines for people who violate both the mask and gathering size orders already on the books.

And on Tuesday he kept to his word as he signed both into law. The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

The order authorizes the commissioner of Public Health, local health departments, municipal chief elected officers, and state and local police to issue fines for violations of certain COVID-19 protective measures.

These include:

A fine of $100 for any person who fails to wear a mask or cloth face covering according to a prior executive order. A business entity, rather than the employee, is liable for a fine of the same amount for any employee’s failure to wear a required mask or cloth-face covering while at work.

In that order "any person in a public place in Connecticut, whether indoors or outdoors, who does not maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering.

"In addition, individuals shall use a mask or cloth face covering when using the services of any taxi, car, livery, ride-sharing or similar service, or any means of mass public transit, or while within any semi-enclosed transit stop or waiting area.

"Nothing in this order shall require the use of a mask or cloth face covering by anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition, a child in a child care setting, or anyone under the age of 2 years.

"Any person who declines to wear a mask or face covering because of a medical condition shall be exempt from this order and any requirement to wear masks in Sector Rules or other rules issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), but only if such person provides written documentation that the person is qualified for the exemption from a licensed medical provider, the Department of Developmental Services or other state agency that provides or supports services for people with emotional, intellectual or physical disabilities, or a person authorized by any such agency. Such documentation need not name or describe the condition that qualifies the person for the exemption."

A fine of $500 for any person or business entity who organizes, hosts, or sponsors a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in a prior order.

Here are the current regulations on the size of crowds allowed in CT:

• Indoor private gatherings (e.g. weddings, office meetings, parties) – 25 people (including staff)
• Outdoor private gatherings (e.g. weddings, reunions, parties) – 100 people (including staff), one-time exception for graduations @ 150 people
• Outdoor organized gatherings open to the public (e.g. Fireworks, Concert in Municipal Park) – 15 feet of space blanket to blanket, cap of 500 people. Event organizer responsible for compliance with guidance.
  • For events that cannot accommodate the 15 foot requirement, 6 feet of space may be used but customers must be masked except while eating and drinking and lines clearly marking seating areas must be drawn. Click here for sample seating layout.
• Outdoor Event Venues (e.g. Amphitheaters, Race Tracks) - 25% of Fire Capacity and distancing
  • Note: if an outdoor event venue is holding a private gathering, they are subject to the 100-person limit under outdoor private gatherings (see above)

A fine of $250 for any person who attends a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in the DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events.