HARTFORD, CT (1010 WINS) -- Connecticut will limit private indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people when it rolls back to "Phase 2.1" of its reopening, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.
At a news briefing on Thursday, Lamont said private, "informal" gatherings are "where we're seeing the ignition taking off in terms of the infection rate."
Phase 2.1, which is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, will now include the following restrictions, Lamont said:
• Private indoor and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people.
• Restaurants will only be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of six people per table.
• Capacity at event venues will be limited to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors.
• Restaurants will have to close by 9:30 p.m., with last call at 10 p.m. Takeout and delivery will still be allowed after 9:30 p.m.
• Capacity at performing arts venues and movie theaters will be limited to 100 people.
• Capacity at hair salons, nail salons and other personal service businesses will remain at 75 percent.
• Religious gatherings will be capped at either 50 percent capacity or 100 people. Virtual services will be encouraged.
The state is also issuing a public health advisory "urging" Connecticut residents stay at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night, unless it is an essential trip, the governor said.
Connecticut reported 11 new COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday, bringing its death toll to 4,656, Lamont said.
Of the 31,059 COVID-19 test results that came back in the state on Wednesday, 1,157, or 3.73 percent, were positive.
As of Wednesday, 380 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID-19, up by six from Tuesday.
Sixty-eight towns and cities are currently in Connecticut's "Red Alert Level," which is based on the number of daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.
