HARTFORD, CT (1010 WINS) -- Connecticut will allow indoor performance venues to reopen, increase some businesses' capacity limits and raise caps on gatherings when it moves into the third phase of its reopening in October, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.
Phase 3 will kick off on Oct. 8, barring a significant uptick in the state's COVID-19 statistics, Lamont said at a news briefing Thursday afternoon.
Connecticut moved into Phase 2 in mid-June, but held off on entering Phase 3 in July to avoid the COVID-19 surges other states were seeing ahead of school reopenings, he said.
"Phase 3 is coming about because, A, Connecticut has earned it, in terms of being able to maintain our low infection rates," he said.
As part of the third phase of its reopening, Connecticut will do the following, Lamont said:
- Increase the indoor capacity of restaurants, personal service businesses, hair salons, barber shops and libraries from 50% to 75%
- Increase capacity at outdoor event venues (including amphitheaters and race tracks) from 25% to 50%
- Allow indoor performing arts venues to open at 50% capacity, with masks and social distancing
The state will also raise its current caps on private social and recreational gatherings, religious services and outdoor graduations, and start allowing indoor graduations, with restrictions:
Bars that don't serve food will remain closed in Phase 3, Lamont noted. Nightclubs will also remain closed.
Connecticut reported 157 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths on Thursday. Its COVID-19 infection rate currently stands at 1 percent, the governor said.
