Governor Ned Lamont announced several reopening updates for Connecticut last night (June 16) in his COVID-19 briefing. Among the updates are staggered and significant expansions of crowd size at outdoor gatherings.

Effective June 17, indoor gatherings of up to 25 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed by the state. Outdoor event venues such as amphitheaters and race tracks can open at 25% of fire capacity and distancing. This is consistent with the guidance for amusement parks, which are also open as of today.

As of July 3rd, outdoor organized events such as fireworks displays and concerts in municipal parks will have a cap of 500 people, with 15 feet of blanket spacing between attendees. The event organizers will be responsible for enforcing social distancing. There is also a one time exemption for graduations with a limit of 150 people.

At an as yet undetermined date in mid-July, the outdoor crowd capacity for gatherings will be upped to 250 people, with 50 people indoors. Organized municipal events will have no cap as long as 15 feet of space is maintained, and outdoor event venues will be allowed to operate at 50% of fire capacity.

In addition, the latest executive order allows hotel liquor permit holders to sell liquor with pick-up and delivery services under the same rules previously issued to other liquor permit holders. Off Track Betting facilities remain closed through July 20.

As of today, hotels, gyms, nail salons and tattoo parlors, museums, zoos and amusement parks are open, and restaurants can have indoor dining at 50% of capacity. Lamont did warn that if there is a spike in infections and hospitalizations, the state would have to change course. "That's just reality," he said.

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