In an unusual admission from the subject of a news conference, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said he wasn't breaking any big news on Wednesday. He simply wanted the the public to hear him repeat a vital message at a critical time: even as the state eases some restrictions, allowing 100% capacity at restaurants and offices as of Friday, residents should continue to maintain the precautions that are helping beat COVID-19.
"Even though the capacity limits are increased," says Bronin, "there's still that eight person per table maximum, there is still the requirement that dining rooms close at 11 pm, that commercial venues have that limitation of 100 people indoors and 200 outdoors."
To echo that message, the city has drawn up posters that can be displayed at local restaurants and a second version for houses of worship, which will also be allowed to increase their capacity as of Friday.
The mayor had another message Wednesday: don't let up on getting tested or signing up for one of the COVID vaccines.
"We're in a race here," he says, "we've got to continue to get those vaccinations out. We know the virus continues to mutate... we know the virus continues to spread, so we're battling it in every way we can."
The mayor says Hartford is now engaged in get-out-the-vote style phone banking, calling every eligible citizen who can be contacted, and signing them up on the spot. He points out that the process will become much smoother when all adults in the state are eligible, starting in early April (tentatively Apr. 5th.).
