coronavirus in connecticut

What's Open, What's Closed? CT Plans to Relax Some COVID Restrictions Tomorrow

Connecticut will begin to ease COVID restrictions tomorrow. Here's a look at what's open, what will remain closed, who can get a coronavirus vaccine and how to get an appointment.

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Connecticut tomorrow will lift some COVID restrictions, including capacity limits at several places, that have been in place for nearly a year since the coronavirus pandemic started.

One thing that will remain in place is the state of Connecticut's mask mandate.

Masks or cloth face coverings that cover a person's nose and mouth are required to be worn when you are in public and a six-foot distance is unavoidable, whether indoors or outdoors.

This is the guidance on face coverings issued to the state's businesses.

Tomorrow is also the day that people between 45 and 55 will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.

As we get closer to changes that are coming tomorrow, here's a look at what's open, what's closed, and how it affects you.

What's Open in Connecticut Now

  • Amusement parks
  • Beaches -- state beaches
  • Bowling alleys
  • Construction
  • Gyms and Fitness Studios
  • Hair Salons and Barbershops
  • Hotels
  • Libraries
  • Nail salons
  • Manufacturing
  • Museums and zoos
  • Offices
  • Outdoor Event Venues
    • Up to 25%
    • Social distancing
    • Masks required
  • Religious gatherings
    • Indoor
      • Up to 50% capacity with masks and social distancing required
    • Outdoor
      • Limited to a number that can be accommodated safely by location with masks and social distancing required
  • Retail
  • Restaurants
    • Up to 50% capacity indoors with six-feet of spacing and/or non-porous barriers
    • Maximum of 8 people per table
    • Must close by 11 p.m.
  • Schools (Pre-K-12, summer)
  • Spas
  • State Campgrounds
  • State Parks
  • Summer camps
  • Tattoo Parlors
  • Theaters

What's Partially Open in Connecticut

  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Town beaches

What's Closed in Connecticut

  • Bars -- Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed
Connecticut will be easing some COVID-19 restrictions on Friday and that will affect restaurants. This is what it means for the restaurant industry.

Changes Coming Tomorrow

All capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required:

  • Restaurants
    • Maximum of eight people per table
    • 11 p.m. required closing time for dining rooms
  • Retail
  • Libraries
  • Personal services
  • Indoor recreation
    • Excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50% capacity
  • Gyms/fitness centers
  • Museums, aquariums and zoos
  • Offices
  • Houses of worship
  • Gathering sizes will be revised to the following amounts:
    • Social and recreational gatherings at private residence
      • 25 people indoors
      • 100 people outdoors
    • Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues
      • 100 people indoors
      • 200 people outdoors
  • All sports will be allowed to practice and compete, and all sports tournaments will be allowed, subject to Department of Public Health guidance
  • Connecticut’s travel advisory will be modified from a requirement to recommended guidance.

Lifting the CT Travel Advisory Mandate

The governor will also be lifting the state's travel advisory mandate, making it a recommendation rather than a requirement into a recommendation.

Passengers will no longer be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 10 days after travel.

COVID-19 Restriction Changes Coming to Connecticut on March 29

  • Capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20

COVID-19 Restriction Changes Coming to Connecticut on April 2

  • Outdoor amusement parks can open
  • Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people
  • Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity
  • Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season

Who Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut

Note:To get a vaccine in Connecticut, you must either live or work in the state. If you typically visit a provider here but do not live or work in Connecticut, you are not eligible and must get vaccinated in your home state.

How to Get an Appointment for a COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut

By phone: Call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for scheduling at select sites.

Online: Schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in VAMS, the Vaccine Administration Management System.

  1. Fill out the form to let the Department of Public health know you are interested in creating an account in VAMS. If you are currently eligible to receive the vaccine then you should receive an email from VAMS to complete your registration within 12 hours. Click here to create an account.
  2. Check for an email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov. Click on the link in the email and create your account. You will be prompted to retrieve a code that will be emailed to you. You will need to create a password and store it in a safe place.
    • If you forgot your password, the "forgot password" link on the login page can only be used if you have created a password as part of your VAMS registration.
  3. Complete your VAMS registration.
    • The first question that will be asked in VAMS is “Have you already registered as a vaccine recipient with VAMS?” The answer to this question is “No.”
    • Questions with a red asterisk are mandatory. 
    • Insurance information does not need to be entered.
    • You will be prompted to share some additional information about yourself.
    • In order for VAMS to recognize your option chosen for race, click on your choice in the box on the left and click the right-pointing arrow to move your choice to the box on the right.
  4. Use your zip code to search for clinics near you in VAMS.
    • The system will automatically search for clinics within a 10-mile radius of your zip code, but you may choose up to 100 miles from the dropdown menu, which might provide more clinic locations in your search results.
    • You might need to check multiple clinic locations to find an available appointment. Find a slot that works for you, and book your appointment.

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