Conn. (WTNH) — Governor Ned Lamont announced Monday he is easing some COVID-19 safety restrictions on businesses, restaurants, and places of worship.
He points to the high vaccination rate and decrease in infection rates in allowing him to feel comfortable making the change. Gov. Lamong said Monday the state’s positivity rate over a seven-day period is under 4% for the first time in months.
Now he’s extending the curfew for restaurants and easing restrictions on capacity in houses of worship.
For places of worship, the governor is keeping the 50% capacity limit, but pulling back on the cap. He adds that social distancing and mask wearing will still be required.
For restaurants and local businesses, the curfew for indoor dining has been extended to 11 p.m. The other social distancing requirements will remain in place.
In a statement Monday, the CT Restaurant Association said of the decision to extend the curfew,
“We appreciate that the Governor and his team continue to work with our industry with a focus on reopening Connecticut’s economy. This is another step in that direction, and the extra hour will be a benefit to restaurants across the state. At the same time, it’s important that we take further steps in the weeks ahead, including fully lifting this curfew just as neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island have done. Connecticut can continue to be a leader in fighting COVID while also being mindful of our economic recovery.”
These changes will go into effect in the next few days. If the numbers continue to trend down, can we expect other restrictions to be eased?
Gov. Ned Lamont said, “Let’s see how this settles out for 2 of 3 weeks. Maybe at some point; it’s a little bit safer to put people in the stands and let you folks watch some of the games.”
Dr. Marietta Vazquez, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Yale New Haven Health said, “So, I would say to the degree that those two go hand in hand, we’re not relaxing when we need to turn cafeterias into hospitals, yes I’m in agreement.”
The governor says 45% of those 75 and older have received at least their first COVID vaccine dose.
