Latest Connecticut Reopening Guidelines for Summer 2021

The sun is up and the skies are clear! With winter now behind us, warmer temperatures and greener scenes are leading us into the spring and summer seasons. After long months of quarantine and strict COVID regulations, the Connecticut reopening plan is happening.

The Constitution state has unveiled a new reopening plan for the state in anticipation of the warmer weather. Governor Lamont announced in early March that the new plans and guidelines would go into effect on March 19th, 2021, to bring a sense of normalcy following COVID vaccinations and a lower number of positive cases. Here is a list with new reopening guidelines for Connecticut, along with local police initiatives that you will be sure to see in the upcoming days.

Connecticut Reopening Guidelines

Reopening plans are slightly different for each establishment depending on the kind of business or organization. As of March 19th, here are some of Connecticut’s reopening highlights:

• All businesses and organizations can open to 100% capacity. Social distancing and masks will still be required.
• Performer(s) at restaurants or other indoor and outdoor events are permitted if there is at least 12 ft. between them and other customers. The performer(s) must test negative for COVID within 72 hours of the performance.
• All sports, high school, collegiate, and professional, throughout the state, are allowed to practice and compete as normal, subject to the Department of Health’s guidance.
• Indoor and outdoor pool visitors must keep a 3-6 ft. distance at all times while they are swimming or lounging. There must also be a limit on the total capacity of the pool area.
• Restaurants and bars can run at full capacity with 6 ft. social distancing required. There is also a maximum of 8 people per table. All recreation must close by 11:00 pm.
• Movie theaters and performing arts venues must be capped at 50% of their total capacity. 6 ft. social distancing will be required and all are subject to close at 11:00 pm.

Outdoor amusement parks will also open with no capacity limits on April 2nd, 2021. On the same date, outdoor event venues can increase their capacity limits to 50%, with a cut-off of 10,000 people. Indoor stadiums will also be able to reopen at 10% capacity on the 2nd as well. The state’s travel ban has also been lifted, with travel restrictions going from a mandate to only a recommendation. Key guidelines of wearing masks and social distancing will still be required as part of the state’s reopening.

CT Police Departments’ Efforts in Light of Reopening Plans and Warmer Weather

The lifting of many restrictions that have been long in place will bring busier streets and more travel this summer. Crime typically increases in warmer weather, but along with the hecticness of reopening, this increase may be even more than what is typically seen. To combat criminal activity and to ensure that the transition back to normalcy is smooth, police departments around the state have made efforts to expand their patrols to assist residents of their community in more ways.

As the weather warms, Norwalk police officers will be seen on bikes around the city, biking during patrol shifts to be closer to residents of the community. Bristol’s police department takes note of how summer driving can sometimes turn a bit more dangerous than in other seasons. Their traffic division will be taking more notice of high speed and dangerous driving in the upcoming months. Many police departments also observe that there is usually a ramp-up in petty crimes in warming weather, such as thefts and robberies.

The Hartford Police Department has made efforts to decrease these numbers, such as creating new community prevention efforts and increasing patrol officers in and around neighborhoods. See the city of Hartford police initiatives here.

With Connecticut reopening and on track with the delivery of vaccines, the state seems to be on track to continue relaxing more restrictions. While masks are mandatory, visitors arriving in Connecticut are no longer subject to quarantine.