Fairfield Preparing For Restaurants, Retailers To Reopen May 20

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Town of Fairfield has formed a task force to develop recommendations and guidelines in response to the governor's order last week that some non-essential businesses can begin to reopen May 20 after two months of statewide closures due to the new coronavirus outbreak.

The task force, led by First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, is discussing how restaurants, retailers, salons and other businesses covered under the order will be affected. The town is seeking clarification and guidance from the office of Gov. Ned Lamont, which it hoped to have by late Wednesday.

"I know our residents are rooting for Fairfield restaurants and all our local retail shops and businesses to get through this, so we can all enjoy a meal out again, and return to normal, even if it looks a little different than it used to," Kupchick said in a town news release. "Safety remains our priority, but we want to do what we can as a town to support our businesses."

The task force brings together the town health, zoning, economic development and building departments as well as the fire marshal’s office, police department and the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. The task force is seeking ways to streamline processes and allow greater flexibility for restaurants that want to expand their outdoor footprint, as the May 20 order allows for outdoor dining only.

"I know restaurants are struggling and many have done an extraordinary job revising their operations and adapting to new regulations during the pandemic," Kupchick said in the news release. "The governor’s executive order allows for restaurants to expand their outdoor footprint and while this doesn’t work for every business model, we want to do everything we can to support our restaurants."

In addition to widespread business closures, school buildings across the state are shuttered for the remainder of the school year while students learn from home. More than 2,700 Connecticut residents have died after contracting the virus, according to the most recent state data.

A call with restaurant owners is scheduled for Friday, according to the news release. If restaurants have questions about expansion, they should contact the Town Plan & Zoning Department at 203-256-3050 or jwendt@fairfieldct.org. Businesses seeking guidance should contact the Office of Community & Economic Development at 203-256-3120 or mbarnhart@fairfieldct.org.