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State’s Phase 3 Reopening Begins: Here’s a List of Changes

October 08, 2020

It’s not quite back to normal, but Connecticut’s Phase 3 reopening that begins Oct. 8 includes 99 percent of the state’s economy, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

Bars and nightclubs remain closed during COVID-19, but the new guidelines increase indoor capacity to 75 percent (from 50 percent) for restaurants, hair salons and barber shops, religious events and indoor performance venues.

The state’s positivity rate, after consistently falling below a 1 percent baseline, reached 1.85 percent last week — the highest rate in weeks — yet remained below the 3 percent to 5 percent threshold Gov. Lamont said would force a reconsideration of the Phase 3 rollout.

“I still feel confident it’s the right thing to do to reopen our economy, reopen our businesses at this time,” said Dr. Ajay Kumar, Hartford HealthCare’s Chief Clinical Officer, at a morning press briefing. “We are, right now, much better prepared at this time (for a possible second wave of COVID-19).”

Dr. Kumar, though expressing concern about the recent rise in cases and hospitalizations, called Gov. Lamont’s next-phase reopening “a good plan.”

“As with everything in life,” he said, “this is a balance.”

Here’s a list of Phase 3 reopening changes:

Increase to 75 percent capacity indoors, from 50 percent

  • Restaurants.
  • Personal services.
  • Hair salons.
  • Barber shops.
  • Libraries.

Increase to 50 percent capacity outdoors, from 25 percent

  • Outdoor event venues (such as amphitheaters and auto racing tracks).

50 Percent capacity indoors (new)

  • Indoor performing arts venues (with mask and social-distancing requirements).

Private Social and Recreational Gatherings

At commercial establishments and businesses:

Indoors: 50 percent capacity, capped at 100 people,

Outdoors: capped at 150 people.

At a private residence:

Indoors: 25 people.

Graduations

Indoors: 50 percent capacity, capped at 200 people. Masks and social distancing required.

Outdoors: 50 percent, with masks and 6-foot distancing, no cap.

Religious

Indoors: 50 percent capacity, capped at 200 people. Masks and social distancing required.

Outdoors: 50 percent capacity, with masks and 6-foot distancing, no cap.