New Rules Released For Indoor Dining, Gyms, Nail Salons, Movies

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced that his administration has released documents detailing specific rules that eligible businesses falling under phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening plans must follow amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The second phase takes effect Wednesday, June 17.

Lamont said the decision to reopen during this phase rests with each individual business owner – they are not required to open if they do not choose, however if they do they must follow the rules as prescribed.

The protocols were developed by Lamont, members of his administration, and the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with legislators and recommendations made by the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group, which consisted of several of the state’s leading medical experts and representatives of business and industry groups.

The sector-specific rules include detailed information and requirements about physical distancing, facility capacity, hygiene, sanitizing, signage, personal protective equipment (PPE), scheduling, training, and more. (Click on the hyperlink below next to each business to view all the rules and requirements including renderings of how the business should look before it reopen.)

Beginning Monday, June 8, businesses and nonprofits planning to reopen during Phase 2 on June 17 will need to visit Connecticut’s self-certification website to certify that they are compliant with the reopening rules for their sector.

Phase 2 includes the following sectors:

• Amusement parks: Outdoor amusement parks can open at up to 25% capacity.>>>Read their reopening rules here.
• Hotels: Hotels/Lodging are open to guests with reservations.>>>Read their reopening rules here.
• Indoor dining: An establishment’s Phase II maximum indoor capacity is 50% of its regular indoor seating capacity. Outdoor dining is still encouraged as long as the restaurant does not exceed its regular operating capacity and physical distancing can be maintained. Additionally, if an establishment has established extra outdoor dining capacity in Phase I, that additional outdoor capacity may remain in Phase II if the municipality continues to approve such additional capacity (in accordance with the municipality’s approval processes).>>>Read their reopening rules here.
• Indoor museums, zoos, and aquariums: Museums, zoos, and aquariums may open outdoor and indoor exhibits at 50% capacity in the current phase of reopening.>>>Read their reopening rules here.
• Indoor recreation (e.g. bowling, movie theaters, etc.): Indoor recreation businesses may open at up to 50% capacity; however, businesses should limit customers to the number of customers that can be appropriately supervised by staff to ensure continuous compliance with rules for mask wearing, social distancing, and cleaning/disinfecting of equipment and common areas. Businesses for which no maximum capacity is on record may determine maximum Phase II capacity as 1 person (including employees) per 150 square feet. Any food service taking place at indoor recreation venues will adhere to the Sector Rules for Restaurants.>>>Read their reopening rules here.
• Libraries: Libraries can open at up to 50% capacity in the current phase of reopening.>>>Read their full reopening rules here.
• Outdoor events:>>>Read their full reopening rules here.
• Personal services (e.g. nail salons, tattoo parlors, etc.): Personal Services will open at up to 50% capacity by appointment only, with waiting rooms closed. Personal services industries include Day Spa, Electrology, Estheticians, Floating, Piercing, Spa, Tanning, Tattoo, Waxing, Massage Therapy, Nail Technicians, & Eyelash Technicians. Personal Services that require a customer to remove a mask cannot be performed in Phase 2.>>>Read their full reopening rules here.
• Sports and fitness facilities (e.g. gyms, fitness centers, pools, etc.): Sports, sport clubs and complexes, gyms, fitness centers, and pools can open in Phase 2. Each outdoor sporting event field will be limited to two teams, officials, and limited family members. Indoor sporting events will be limited to 50% of building capacity or 25 people (which ever is smaller) per field, court, pool, rink, etc. For indoor sporting events, capacity limits can be exceeded but only to include one parent/guardian per athlete. Sports that are allowed to be played include all age ranges. Gyms, sports clubs, and fitness centers that do not provide organized sports shall operate at 50% capacity. Establishments that require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 6 ft of space between equipment. Establishments that do not require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 12 ft of space between equipment. Pools shall be allowed to open on June 10th to allow for training of lifeguards only, prior the June 17, full reopening.>>>Read their full reopening rules here.

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