Connecticut arrives at Phase Three of its reopening process at a precarious moment: the state's COVID-19 numbers are ticking upward, with significant localized outbreaks.
Starting Thursday, restaurants can open to 75% capacity. Facilities including hair salons, barber shops and libraries can also open to 75%. Outdoor events venues and indoor performing arts venues are limited to 50% capacity.
Churches, synagogues and mosques can open to 50% capacity, capped at 200 people. Bars and nightclubs must remain closed.
Many restaurants have already closed due to the pandemic. Scott Dolch, Executive Director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, says the boost from 50% capacity to 75% could help save some of those struggling to make it.
"It's about survival right now," says Dolch, "It's not about business models that generate revenue, it's about how can these restaurants make it to tomorrow."
Phase Three was originally slated to start in July. Gov. Lamont paused it because of concerns the increased exposure might spike the numbers, leading to more hospitalizations and deaths. The state's latest 24-hour COVID-19 positive test rate, reported Wednesday, was 1.6%, higher than the 7-day moving average of 1.2% (the U.S. 7-day is 4.7%). The city of Norwich has been scrambling to hold down a local surge. Hartford Public Schools are considering a shift to hybrid learning due to increasing positive test rates around the city.
