‘It’s a good thing’
Greenwich businesses welcome Phase 3 of COVID-19 reopening
GREENWICH — The loosening of some public-health safety restrictions starting next week is welcome news for some Greenwich business owners, who called it another step toward normalcy during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state is ready to enter into Phase 3, the next step of reopening, on Oct. 8, Gov. Ned Lamont announced last week.
Indoor capacity at restaurants and personal service businesses such as nail salons will be allowed to increase customer capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent, while indoor performing arts venues will be able to open at 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements, according to the state’s Phase 3
reopening plan. Larger gatherings will also be allowed at religious ceremonies — 50 percent capacity indoors, capped at 200 people.
Word of the new regulations was greeted as a step in the right direction in Greenwich, while not making a major change for local businesses that have been struggling with a substantially diminished customer base in recent months.
“Of course it’s good thing,” said Amsumena Touray, owner of Punch Fitness Center on Greenwich Avenue. Making his fitness clients more comfortable with the safety measures was a benefit, he said.
The fitness center, which offers training on kick-boxing and martial arts, has been holding outdoor classes, as well as training sessions indoors with distancing requirements closely monitored, he said. With the weather turning colder with autumn’s arrival, Touray said, having more sessions held indoors would be useful.
Matthew Murphy, director of the Fred D. Knapp and Son Funeral Home, said the viral pandemic had placed an additional burden on grieving families, disrupting the familiar comforting rituals.
“Attendance is down, people are hesitant, even with social distancing,” he said. The funeral director said he never had to turn away mourners from a service during the coronavirus pandemic. While it was a benefit that funeral homes could offer 75 percent seating indoor capacity, Murphy said the real change would occur when public confidence rose to
higher levels. “It would be nice to get things back to normal,” he said.
At Avenue Nails on lower Greenwich Avenue, the lack of parking lost to the outdoor dining space was the business’s biggest challenge, owner Sugie Koo said. Providing manicures for a few more clients at a time would be a small step forward, she said. “It
helps a little bit, it’s a positive,” Koo said. “And it’s a positive reflection for customers.”
At the Greenwich Public Library, Director Barbara OrmerodGlynn, stated in an email, “Due to construction at the Main Library, our space (including meeting facilities) is quite limited, so all programs will remain virtual for the time being. We will be announcing more services by appointment this week. It is our hope that we can offer socially distanced seating for study once the Reading Room renovation is completed and furnished in November, subject of course to construction schedules and town health conditions.”
In making the announcement about the Phase 3 opening, Lamont said, “The reason why we are able to have a discussion about even entering into Phase 3 is because of Connecticut residents’ collective actions to fight the spread of COVID-19. By taking the sector rules seriously, wearing masks, physically distancing and washing your hands regularly, I believe that we can continue to keep these rates low while also easing some of the restrictions that were enacted earlier this year.”
Marcia O’Kane, president of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, called the Phase 3 reopening model an encouraging one for business in town, which “should help restaurants” in particular, she said.
According to the new guidelines, private and social events such as weddings and reunions will be capped at 100 people indoors, and 50 percent capacity. Outdoor events will be capped at 150 participants.