coronavirus connecticut

Connecticut fully reopens most businesses, ages 45+ now eligible for COVID vaccine

Connecticut coronavirus update

Friday, March 19, 2021

Connecticut fully reopens most businesses, ages 45+ now eligible for COVID vaccine

Most restaurants and other businesses are now open at 100% capacity, but with some COVID-19 restrictions still in place.

GREENWICH, Connecticut (WABC) -- Most restaurants and other businesses are now open at 100% capacity, but with some COVID-19 restrictions still in place.

The capacity limits ended Friday for much of the state, including restaurants, gyms and also houses of worship.

Movie theaters remain at 50% capacity, and even for those venues allowed to operate at 100%, social distancing and masks are still required.

"They take it as, hey, things are opening up, things are getting back to normal, maybe I can go back to the gym now," one gym owner said.

Capacity at New Jersey restaurants, gyms and health clubs, recreational facilities and arcades, and personal care businesses increased to 50% Friday, though Governor Phil Murphy wa

The Plaza restaurant in Greenwich reopened Friday morning at full capacity, and they can seat 50 people inside.

Governor Ned Lamont has said the state has earned the right to reopen, given the falling positivity rate and quick rollout of the COVID vaccine.

Throughout the pandemic, Connecticut has loosened restrictions quicker than other states in the area -- only to reintroduce them as it did during the holiday surge.

Lamont says he'll do it again if need be, but for now, businesses from barbershops and salons to fitness clubs can reap the benefits.