Today Is The Day; Restrictions Are Being Lifted In The Tri-Towns

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — Capacity limits at Connecticut restaurants and other businesses ended Friday as a new reopening phase kicked off, however, due to the continued social distancing requirements, many are restaurants will not be able to increase capacity at all.

Colt Taylor, owner and chef of The Essex and Los Churros restaurants in Centerbrook, as well as the Essex Market Food Hall explained that it was never really capacity restrictions that affected the number of customers allowed in his restaurants at one time, but instead, it was the six-foot social distancing requirement that has kept the number of tables restricted.

"I am happy the capacity restrictions for restaurants are being lifted," said Taylor. "It is a step in the right direction, but I think there is a misnomer that this means things will be back to normal. I've added back zero tables because we still have to keep tables six feet apart."

He added, "The good thing is this increases customers feelings that it is safe to go out now, but I would recommend that if you are planning to dine out, be sure to make a reservation, as space is still limited."

Masks are still required at all businesses and spacing and cleaning protocols are also still in effect.

Gov. Ned Lamont said he is confident Connecticut can head off coronavirus variants by keeping up the pace of vaccinations. Around one-third of people 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose, he said.

Lamont said the key metric for reopenings is hospital capacity, which remained sufficient this week. There were fewer than 400 coronavirus patients at Connecticut hospitals as of Monday, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Businesses

Restaurants will be allowed to operate at full indoor capacity subject to maintaining space between tables. That means many restaurants can't go back to 100 percent pre-pandemic capacity for now. Still, it's a big change from the 50 percent capacity limit.
The 11 p.m. curfew for restaurants will remain in effect and there is an eight-person limit per table.

Capacity limits were lifted at libraries, museums, aquariums, gyms, fitness centers, retail stores, business offices, personal services and houses of worship.
Movie theaters and performing arts venues will continue to be capped at 50 percent capacity. Bars will remain closed.

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Private gatherings, masks and social distancing rules still apply

Limits increased to 25 people indoors and 100 outdoors for private residences.
Private gatherings at commercial venues for events like weddings will have capacity limits of 100 people indoors and 200 outdoors. An 11 p.m. curfew is in effect.
Sports
All sports will be allowed to hold practices and tournaments will be allowed, subject to state Department of Public Health guidance.
Travel advisory
The travel advisory was changed from a mandate to guidance. Previously, people who traveled outside the region had to quarantine or show proof of a negative coronavirus test.
Lamont encouraged people to still get tested when they return from traveling, especially if they attended large social gatherings in other states.

With reporting from Brian McCready.