The state said today its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 1 at 479 (448 confirmed and 31 probable) and deaths unchanged at 23. (This is 14.2 cases per 100,000.)

First Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following statement today:

The State of Connecticut has implemented a color-coded map indicating the average daily rate of COVID-19 cases among persons living in community settings per 100,000 population by town.

According to a 14-day rolling average, Westport now has a rate of 13.3 corresponding to the orange color category of 10-14 cases per 100,000. The colors are meant to provide communities an accurate account of the prevalence of COVID-19 so that the appropriate personal precautions can be managed. Given this status, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends adherence to the rules of phase 2.1 listed below. The map and additional data links can be seen on Westport’s town page at www.westportct.gov/covid19.

• Restaurants will return to or remain at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 8 people limited to a table;
• Restaurants and entertainment venues will be required to close by 9:30 p.m., except for food takeout and delivery services, which will be allowed to continue after 9:30 p.m.;
• Personal services, such as hair salons and barber shops, will remain at 75 percent capacity;
• Event venues will be limited to 25 people indoor, 50 people outdoor;
• Performing arts venues and movie theaters will have a capacity of 100 people;
• Religious gatherings will be limited to 50 percent capacity or 100 people maximum; and
• A public health advisory is issued urging residents to remain indoors between 10pm and 5am, unless for essential activities.

Westport officials are pleased that our businesses will remain open. To those who can, I encourage you to continue patronizing our local restaurants and businesses. Please do so while following the new guidelines. 

Since the beginning of this pandemic, Westport has promoted the support of our local and small businesses. There have been many ideas and programs aimed at sharing safe ways for residents to interact with our businesses during these times. I am pleased to share another great idea for eating out and staying safe as developed by our Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Please take a moment and watch its announcement for the “BYOB” or “Bring your Own Blanket” initiative for outdoor dining: Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Bring Your Own Blanket.

The Westport Weston Health District informs us that a significant portion of Westport’s COVID cases are related to youth travel sports. These programs are regional, span several states, and fall outside of local authority. Updated State DPH guidance for youth and interscholastic sports is forthcoming.

Town officials are also aware that some very large gatherings of both young people and adults occurred this past Halloween weekend. We continue to stress that everyone be sensitive to neighbors and be aware of the risks imposed on those with pre-existing conditions and the elderly.

Please follow the guidance to social distance, wear a face covering and practice good personal hygiene.

The state said today its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 15 at 478 (447 confirmed and 31 probable) and deaths unchanged at 23.