BREAKING: Connecticut to lift COVID-19 restrictions

Democrat Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont announced in a Tuesday press release that he will be lifting nearly all prior COVID-19 restrictions with a few exceptions.

According to the press release, Connecticut is set to lift all capacity limits on restaurants, retail, libraries, personal services, indoor recreation, gyms, museums, aquariums, offices, and houses of worship effective March 19. Restaurants will remain at an eight-person table capacity and have a closing time requirement of 11pm.

The office of the Governor also announced that subject to Department of Health guidance, all sports will be allowed to practice and compete, including sports tournaments.

Lamont stressed that people and businesses need to continue adhering to health and safety precautions including; wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitization. "While it is encouraging to see the number of cases in our state gradually going down and people getting vaccinated at rates that are among the highest in the nation, we need to continue taking this virus seriously to mitigate its spread as much as possible."

The Governor added, "Please continue to wear face coverings in public and when around other people outside of your households, maintain social distancing, and keep washing your hands and cleaning surfaces. Connecticut has made tremendous strides to combat this pandemic, and we don’t want to lose the progress that we’ve made."

Democratic-run Connecticut is the first of the tri-state area states, which includes New York and New Jersey, to ease Covid-19 restrictions.

The press release announced effective March 29, capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20.

Beginning April 2, outdoor amusement parks can open and outdoor event venues can increase to a 50 percent capacity, capped at 10,000 people. Indoor stadiums will be able to reopen at 10 percent capacity. Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season

Restrictions that remain in place until further notice include face coverings and masks, bars that only serve beverages, 11PM curfew for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment, and 50 percent capacity for indoor theaters.