Gov. Ned Lamont today released new reopening guidelines for businesses, including indoor restaurants, hotels and gyms on Wednesday, June 17.
The much-anticipated guidelines emphasize social distancing, limited capacity, improved ventilation, strict sanitation, and the wearing of face masks at all times.
People over the age of 65 or who have other health conditions should remain at home.
All facilities must prepare a detailed plan and training program for employees for reopening and appoint specific staff who are accountable for enforcing rules.
Restaurants
Maximum capacity is 50% of regular indoor seating and outdoor dining is encouraged.
Restaurants complete a thorough cleaning prior to reopening. Tables must be disinfected after each seating.
Restaurants should consider keeping the same group or cohort of staff working the same shifts.
Indoor waiting areas and buffet stations must be closed. No self service.
Tables must be 6 feet apart unless tables are separated by plexiglass or wood.
Employees must wear face masks and servers must wear latex-free gloves.
Gyms and fitness centers
Capacity must be no more than 50%
Equipment must be 6 to 12 feet apart.
Customers must wipe down equipment after each use.
Increased ventilation.
Facilities must be cleaned by staff throughout the day.
Every other locker must be disabled to enforce social distancing.
Indoor classes may be held with 50% capacity
Swimming, hot tubs, basketball and other court sports are permitted, with social distancing.
Movie theaters, bowling and other indoor recreation
Strict 50% capacity limits.
Increased ventilation, thorough cleaning before reopening.
Rearrange space to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between customers at all times. One bowling ball per patron.
Thorough cleaning throughout the day by staff.
No self service.
Hotels and lodging
Contact-free payment and mobile check-in and check-out with digital receipts
Social distancing in elevators.
Meeting and convention spaces must adhere to social distance rules (i.e. 6 foot distance between patrons).
Increased ventilation rates, including the percentage of outdoor air circulating.
Removal of water, coffee, mini-bars in rooms; no in-room items such as pens and writing pads.
Irons and hair dryers are allowed in rooms.
All employees and customers must wear face masks.
Outdoor amusement parks
Increase signage to educate customers about rules.
Parking in every other spot to ensure social distancing during peak hours.
Encourage online purchase of tickets, ensure social distancing in lines.
Leave empty rows on rides and ensure social distancing.
Ensure social distancing in ride lines.
Water fountains to only be used for filling of water bottles.
No self-service beverage stations.
Libraries
Limit capacity to 50 percent, have staff regulate admission to building.
Urge patrons to use book drops, quarantine returned books for 48 hours.
Install physical barriers at circulation desks.
Ensure social distancing in book stacks, at computer terminals.
Separate entrances and exits.
Encourage patrons to use online services as much as possible.
Consider extending due dates and waiving fines to discourage patrons from visiting library in-person.
Personal services
Any service that requires a customer to remove a face mask is not permitted.
Appointments must be one to one.
Segregate work zones.
Visits by appointment only.
Ensure social distancing, proper cleaning.
Museums, zoos, aquariums
Establish and mark areas for one-way flow.
Employees and patrons must wear face masks.
Establish, enforce maximum capacity for exhibits.
Install hand sanitizer stations.
Ensure social distancing.
Increase ventilation.
Close public water fountains.
Increase cleaning of interactive exhibits.
Outdoor events
Staff and patrons must wear face masks.
Performers exempt from wearing face masks as long as the are 12 feet from nearest person, including other performers.
People attending must stay six feet apart, excluding immediate family members, caretakers and people from the same household.
Install hand sanitizer stations.
Increased cleaning of rest rooms.
Encourage online ticket purchases.
Stagger entrance times for patrons to reducing crowding at entrances.
