HARTFORD, Conn. (WCBS 880) — Connecticut will rollback most coronavirus-related capacity limits for several industries over the next two weeks, Gov. New Lamont announced Thursday.
The governor stressed that coronavirus numbers have come down significantly with positivity and hospitalization rates at a four-month low.
Therefore, Lamont announced Thursday that the state will begin to lift capacity limitations on restaurants, houses of worship, gyms and other spaces beginning on March 19.
“They say, ‘Why March 19th?’ A. More people vaccinated; B. Warmer weather; and C. More and more of our peers are sort of headed in the same direction as well,” the governor said.
However, the governor insists Connecticut will not operate like Texas or Mississippi – two states that have dropped all coronavirus restrictions altogether – and the state will still maintain other coronavirus guidelines.
Lamont said while the state was lifting capacity limits, it would maintain masking and spacing requirements.
“We like to go with what works. And we have found that the masks work, the social distancing works. And I just find that fooling around with the dial—35% occupancy, 55% occupancy—was confusing and unenforceable,” Lamont told WCBS 880 on Friday morning.
“So we’re going to have 100% occupancy, six foot of distance between the tables, so restaurants don’t have to change anything. But we do maintain an 11 o’clock curfew, because that’s enforceable and lots of things happen after 11 o’clock at the restaurants,” Lamont said.
The only places that will still have capacity restrictions are movie theaters and performing arts venues, with will operate at 50%.
Meanwhile, bars that do not serve food will have to remain closed and an 11 p.m. curfew for all businesses will remain in effect throughout the state.
“We’re reminding people we’re not out of the woods yet. We can only do this safely, we can only reopen because the people of Connecticut have been smart for the last six months and have allowed us to get some control over the spread of this virus,” Lamont said.
The governor does says there was a general consensus on lifting capacity limits but, he notes it was not unanimous among those he consulted.
Still the governor felt confident in his decision, citing the fact that about three-fourths of seniors over the age of 75 have gotten their vaccine, along with more than half of those aged 65 to 74.
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