What are the specific guidelines for reopening businesses during the four Phases of the ReOpenCT Plan?
On May 18 2020, Governor Lamont issued executive order 7PP, which explained the guidelines in tandem with DECD guidance for reopening businesses on May 20, 2020. Here is what the executive order did:
- Repeals several previously enacted executive orders to allow for the safe reopening of certain sectors of the economy on May 20, including for the reopening of outdoor dining, offices, retail and malls, museums and zoos, and outdoor recreation businesses.
- Modifies certain statues and regulations to permit the enforcement of sector rules as certain businesses reopen on May 20, including for local and district health directors and municipal chief executive officers
- Extends the prohibition of large gatherings in Executive Order Nos. 7D and 7N through June 20, 2020.
- Allows for the sale of mixed drinks for takeout and delivery by various liquor permittees under certain conditions.
PHASE 1:
On May 8, 2020, Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development released guidance on reopening for businesses that choose to do so beginning May 20, 2020.
PHASE 2:
On June 6, Governor Lamont and DECD released guidance on additional business sectors which will be allowed to reopen on June 17, 2020.
Visit the latest Information and guidelines on all eligible business sectors here.
In tandem with the release of this guidance, working with organizations who represent the voices of our communities and our small businesses and in a team effort to provide the best possible support to our small businesses to help them implement these new regulations, DECD has issued a reopening resources guide for small businesses:
Also note that on May 12, 2020, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7MM, which enacted the following provisions to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down the transmission of COVID-19:
- Allows municipalities to expedite changes to their zoning rules or other ordinances to expand outdoor dining
- Creates an expedited approval process for restaurants and other establishments that serve food to get fast-tracked permission to create or expand outdoor dining areas
- Allows other businesses such as retail stores to get fast-tracked permission to sell goods on the sidewalk or in other outdoor areas, including shared spaces or spaces provided by municipalities
- Allows restaurants and other businesses who already have liquor permits to serve alcohol only with food without applying for a separate patio or extension of use permit
- Allows private clubs to sell alcohol only to their members for delivery or pickup