Ridgefield Releases Guidelines For Phase 1 Of Business Reopening

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Office of the First Selectman has released guidelines for the first phase of the reopening of the town, beginning May 20.

The Ridgefield regulations are more stringent than state requirements regarding the wearing of masks.

Offices, retailers, select personal service businesses, and restaurants have the option to slowly reopen with restrictions, in the plan released last week by Gov. Ned Lamont.

The new Ridgefield protocols were developed by a workgroup of town officials, retailers, property owners, residents, and industry groups, Marconi said, "to instill consumer and employee confidence, protect public health, and recover economically."

They new town protocols are as follows:

• Open At Your Own Pace: This is the start of a slow and gradual opening of the Ridgefield economy. Open only when you are ready and employees are properly trained in new protocols. Businesses are not required to reopen on May 20th.
• Face Coverings:
  • Office, retail, and personal service businesses must require customers, clients, and employees to wear face coverings. All individuals are strongly encouraged to wear gloves.
  • Restaurant employees must wear face coverings and gloves. Customers are required to wear face coverings when not seated at a table.
• Restrooms: Encourage frequent hand washing. Set a schedule to frequently clean bathroom facilities. Limit number of people using restrooms or congregating near restrooms.
• Signage: Please print and post the sign requiring customers/clients to wear face coverings and observe the Governor’s social distancing protocols. Customers not wearing face covering should be denied entry (unless medically exempt).
• Phone/Internet Orders: Continue to encourage phone/internet pick-up purchases. Encourage customers to pay-by-phone or contactless payment.