coronavirus connecticut

Reopen Connecticut: Phase 3 COVID efforts set to begin October 8, Gov. Lamont says

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Friday, September 25, 2020

CT restaurants hoping customers ready to return as indoor dining is expanded

On Thursday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced the third Phase of the state's reopening efforts, which will allow for 75% indoor capacity at restaurants beginning October 8.

CONNECTICUT (WABC) -- Phase 3 of Connecticut's COVID-19 reopening plan is set to begin in a few weeks.

On Thursday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced the third Phase of the state's reopening efforts, which will allow for 75% indoor capacity at restaurants beginning October 8.

He says the changes will increase capacities for certain businesses, including restaurants, personal services, libraries and performing arts venues, while ensuring proper safety protocols.

The lab is dedicated to processing COVID-19 tests within 24-48 hours for NYC Health + Hospitals.

According to the plan, restaurants, personal services and libraries can increase capacity indoors from 50% to 75%.

Outdoor event venues can increase from 25% to 50% capacity, with masks and social distancing.

Indoor performing arts venues will be able to open at 50% capacity.

However, under the reopening plan, bars and night clubs will remain closed.

Capacity for gatherings such as graduations, religious ceremonies and recreational events will also expand.

Dr. Anthony Fauci lauded New Jersey's response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying it's an example of what other states can do to be in a position to reopen their economies safely.

Graduations and religious ceremonies can now operate at 50% capacity, capped at 200 people.

Commerical indoor gatherings can operate at 50% capacity with a limit of 100 people. Private residences can are limited to 25 people.

While both public and private outdoor gatherings are capped at 150 people.

WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic

Jim Dolan begins our story at the end of last year, as hundreds of thousands pack into Times Square to ring in 2020. Unbeknownst to us, a health crisis that would make such a mass gathering illegal and deadly, transform daily life, kill tens of thousands of our neighbors and cripple the economy was already forming in China.