THE BIG REOPEN
A look at the COVID-19 safety restrictions that will be lifted in Connecticut today — and those that will remain in place
On Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont will significantly ease a range of COVID-19 restrictions, including lifting capacity limits for restaurants, retail stores and houses of worship and letting sports resume.
Dr. Thomas Balcezak, chief clinical officer for Yale New Haven Health emphasized during a virtual briefing for the health system Wednesday that as the state lifts restrictions, residents should remember to continue following basic COVID-19 protocols.
“No matter what rules change, some things will stay the same: The more you can distance, the more you can provide ventilation, including being outside, the more you can adhere to mask-wearing, the safer we will all be,” he said.
Here’s what you need to know about Friday’s reopening.
Which establishments can operate at full capacity? Beginning Friday, restaurants, retail stores, offices, libraries, houses of worship, indoor recreation (exclud
ing theaters), gyms and fitness centers, museums, aquariums and zoos will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity.
Mask requirements and social distancing rules will remain in effect.
What about hi gh school sports? Yes. All high school sports will be allowed to practice and compete in tournaments starting Friday.
Can I gather with friends? Beginning Friday, social and recreational gatherings at private homes will be limited to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors; at commercial venues, gatherings will be limited to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors.
Do I need to quarantine upon arrival to Connecticut? On Friday, Connecticut’s travel advisory will shift from a requirement to a recommendation.
Which restrictions will remain in effect? Connecticut ’s mask mandate in place, as will social distancing rules and cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Restaurants will still have an 11 p.m. curfew for on-site dining and an eight-person table capacity limit. Patrons still must order food with alcohol.
Indoor theaters will continue to operate at 50% capacity.
When are the next stages of COVID-19 vaccination eligibility? Connecticut residents aged 45 and older will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations beginning Friday.
All residents aged 16 and older will become eligible just over two weeks later, on April 5.
Are more rollbacks coming? Yes. On Monday, capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20.
And beginning Friday, April 2, outdoor amusement parks can open and outdoor event venues can increase to 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people.
Indoor stadiums will be able to open at 10% capacity.