Overview

All businesses subject to reopening rules are required to self-certify prior to opening. Visit here for a searchable list of businesses that have self-certified. 

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** Effective January 19, 2021, the Team Sports on Pause is no longer in effect. Team sporting activities must adhere to the latest DPH Guidance and Sector Rules for Reopening. Click here for a summary of the updated guidance. **

For the purposes of advanced planning for summer camps and other summer recreational activities, we anticipate that the rules this year will be similar to the rules we had last year, assuming current projections hold. The state DPH and DECD are monitoring COVID-19 metrics closely and will likely have more information by March 15, 2021. Please continue to monitor this page and our Sector Rules for Reopening for updated guidance.

Due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 in Connecticut, Governor Lamont has ordered the entire state to roll back to Phase 2.1 rules – a slightly modified version of the previously enacted Phase 2 rules – effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 6.  A comparison of Phases 2, 2.1 and 3 rules can be found below.

Effective Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021,the following business sectors will be subject to a 11:00 p.m. closing time 7 days per week.

• Restaurants (last service for in-person dining at 10:30 p.m., although takeout and delivery may continue)
  • 24-hour diners may reopen for indoor dining for breakfast at 5:00 a.m.
• Entertainment and recreation venues (e.g. movie theaters, bowling alleys, performing arts theaters)
• Indoor and outdoor events at commercial venues 

Employers are reminded to maximize telework to the extent possible, and those over 65 and with chronic conditions are urged to remain home as much as possible.

Phase Comparisons

Industry	Phase 2	Phase 3	Phase 2.1 - Effective 11/6/20
Restaurants	Up to 50% capacity indoors with 6 ft spacing and/or non-porous barriers	Up to 75% capacity indoors with 6 ft spacing and/or non-porous barriers	Up to 50% capacity indoors with 6 ft spacing and/or non-porous barriers Max of 8 people/table
Personal Services	Up to 50% capacity indoors with 6 ft spacing and/or non-porous barriers	Up to 75% capacity indoors with 6 ft spacing and/or non-porous barriers	See Phase 3 rules
Libraries	Up to 50% capacity indoors	Up to 75% capacity indoors	See Phase 3 rules
Outdoor Event Venues (e.g. Amphitheaters, Race Tracks)	Up to 25% with social distancing and masks required	Up to 50% with social distancing and masks required	Up to 25% with social distancing and masks required
Indoor Performing Arts Theaters	Closed	Up to 50% capacity with 6 ft spacing between parties	Up to 50% capacity with 6 ft spacing between parties
Indoor Recreation	Up to 50% with social distancing and masks required	Up to 50% with social distancing and masks required	Up to 50% with social distancing and masks required
Private, Social and Recreational Gathering Sizes – Commercial Venue	Indoor – Cap of 25 people Outdoor – Cap of 100 people	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 100 people Outdoor – Cap of 150 people	Indoor – Cap of 25 people Outdoor – Cap of 50 people   Effective March 19, 2021: Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 100 people Outdoor – Cap of 200 people
Private, Social and Recreational Gathering Sizes – Private Residences	Indoor -– Cap of 25 people Outdoor – Cap of 100 people	Indoor – Cap of 25 people Outdoor – Cap of 150 people	Indoor – Cap of 10 people Outdoor – Cap of 10 people
Graduations	Indoor – Not allowed Outdoor – One time exemption capped at 150 people with masks and social distancing required	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 200 with masks and social distancing required Outdoor – Up to 50% capacity or 6 ft spacing, no capacity limit with masks and social distancing required	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 100 with masks and social distancing required Outdoor – See Phase 3 rules
Religious Gatherings	Indoor – Up to 25% capacity capped at 100 people Outdoor – Capped at 150 people	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 200 with masks and social distancing required Outdoor – Up to 50% capacity or 6 ft spacing, no capacity limit with masks and social distancing required	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity with masks and social distancing required Outdoor – limited to number that can be accommodated safely by location with masks and social distancing required

Phase 2.1 Reopen Rules by Sector (effective 12:01 a.m. Nov. 6, 2020) 

• Amusement Parks   english (12/11/20)
• Film/Television/Digital Media Production    english 
• Hair Salons & Barbershops                                english (2/2/21)   
• Hotels / Lodging  english (12/11/20) 
• Indoor Events / Performing Arts Venues english (2/16/21) 
• Indoor Recreation  english (2/16/21) 
• Libraries english (12/11/20) 
• Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums english (12/11/20) 
• Offices english (12/11/20) 
• Outdoor Events  english (2/16/21)
• Personal Services   english (2/2/21) 
• Restaurants   english (12/11/20)
• Retail & Malls english (12/11/20) 
• Senior Centers  english (12/11/20) 
• Sports / fitness facilities (gyms, pools, etc.)  english (2/9/21)

Social Clubs to follow all rules applicable to their operation (e.g. Restaurant, Pool).

Driving Schools to follow Office rules (see above).  For on-road training, there can be two-people per car, both must wear masks, windows must be rolled down, and thorough cleanings are required between customers.

Short-term housing rentals are recommended to follow hotels/lodging rules above.

Gatherings

Type	Capacity Limits	Notes
Private, Social and Recreational Gathering Sizes  –Commercial Venue (e.g. weddings, office meetings, parties)	Indoor – Cap of 25 people Outdoor – Cap of 50 people Effective March 19, 2021: Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, capped at 100 people Outdoor – Cap of 200 people	Face masks and social distancing required
Private, Social and Recreational Gathering Sizes  – Private Residences (e.g. weddings, parties)	Indoor – Cap of 10 people   Outdoor – Cap of 10 people	Face masks and social distancing required
Graduations	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity – Cap of 100 Outdoor – Up to 50% capacity or 6 ft spacing, no capacity limit	Face masks and social distancing required
Religious Gatherings	Indoor – Up to 50% capacity, 6 ft spacing, no capacity limit  Outdoor – Limited to number that can be accommodated safely by location with masks and social distancing required	Face masks and social distancing required. Click here for guidelines. Social distancing markers: Install visual social distancing markers to enforce seating arrangement and, by marking seats as use or non-use. − Alternatively, engage ushers to guide attendees to seats and enforce seating arrangement.
Outdoor Event Venues (e.g. Amphitheaters, Race Tracks)	Up to 25%	If an outdoor event venue is holding a private gathering, they are subject to the 50-person limit under outdoor private gatherings (see above) Face masks and social distancing required
Fairs, Festivals, and Carnivals	Up to 25% of last year's attendance	Face masks and social distancing required
Outdoor Organized Gatherings  – Open to the public (e.g. Fireworks, Concert in Municipal Park)	Cap of 500 people.  – 15 feet of space blanket to blanket Event organizer responsible for compliance with guidance.	For events that cannot accommodate the 15 foot requirement: – 6 feet of space may be used, but customers must be masked except while eating and drinking, and lines clearly marking seating areas must be drawn.  Click here for sample seating layout.

General Business Rules

General business rules shall only apply to University Research and Outdoor Recreation activities (defined below). 

• General Business Rules  (12/11/2020)
• University Research
• Outdoor Recreation activities are defined as the following:
  • Equestrian (subject to Dept. of Agriculture guidance)
  • Mountain Biking 
  • Camping
  • Head, Party, and Tour Boats (50% capacity or one passenger/family per six feet of rail space)
  • Charter Fishing (50% capacity or one passenger/family per six feet of rail space)
  • Sport Fishing (50% capacity or one passenger/family per six feet of rail space)
  • Go Kart Race Tracks
  • Rock Climbing Walls
  • Golf
  • Driving Ranges
  • Tennis/Paddleball/Pickleball
  • Group Training (up to 4 people), outdoors maintain 6 feet
  • Race Tracks 
  • Campgrounds - follow all rules applicable to their operation (e.g. Retail, Pool)
  • Outdoor Shooting Range
  • Kayaking, Sailing, Canoeing and Stand-up Paddleboarding
  • Dirt Biking 
  • Mini Golf
  • Batting Cages
  • Archery
  • Rope Courses
  • Ziplines
  • Volleyball (2 vs. 2 only)
  • Elm City Party Bike (with barrier between employees and riders)

  • Outdoor Skating Rinks and Hockey must follow rules for sports and fitness facilities, including mask wearing by all participants (capacity is capped at 25% indoors and 50% indoors).

  • Skiing, Snowboarding and Snow Tubing
  • Running

 

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