Bar Reopenings Paused In Connecticut Amid Coronavirus Worry

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut is holding off on reopening bars amid surges in coronavirus infections in other states.

“I think the bars are going to have to take a pause right now,” Lamont said. “I’m just looking around the rest of the country and I've seen it's pretty infectious.”

States like Florida, Texas, Arizona and California are reporting surges in coronavirus cases. Connecticut, meanwhile, has one of the lowest coronavirus rates in the country — it has gone seven days in a row with a positive test rate of less than 1 percent.

Bars are among the most dangerous environments in terms of contracting the coronavirus, according to health officials.

Bars were originally scheduled to be part of Connecticut’s third reopening phase, which was tentatively scheduled for mid-July. Lamont on several occasions expressed concern about bars and noted that alcohol consumption in a bar setting doesn’t easily mix with social distancing practices.

Connecticut will also keep indoor dining capacity to 50 percent. Lamont encouraged restaurant patrons to pick outdoor dining whenever possible because it is a safer option. The governor speculated that spikes in Southern states in coronavirus may be in part due to intense heat, which drives people inside to the comfort of air conditioning. It was 93 degrees in Houston Thursday afternoon.

Connecticut recently joined a tri-state quarantine plan for travelers from states being hit hard by the coronavirus. Airline travel from states like Florida and South Carolina has dropped about 20 percent since the rules went into effect.

“I don’t say that with any great joy because we have hotels and tourism and I don’t wish ill on anyone, but it’s keeping our state safe,” Lamont said.

The July 4 weekend is expected to be a popular one for state parks and beaches, which are open because of Connecticut residents’ strict adherence to mask use and social distancing best practices, said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. She noted some other states have had to close beach areas due to low compliance with mask use and social distancing.

“Our message today is when you go to enjoy our beautiful beaches please wear your masks wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer and practice social distancing,” Bysiewicz said.

Connecticut never closed its state parks and beaches, but put strict parking capacity limits to prevent crowding. Groups of people are encouraged to keep 12 feet away from others on the beach.

Shoreline parks are expected to fill to capacity early in the day during the holiday weekend, said Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes. She encouraged people to check ahead on the department’s website to see what parks are closed to more visitors.

Dykes encouraged residents to check out “hidden gem” parks that don’t get as many visitors.

Swimming areas at inland parks have been closed so far this season. Swimming itself isn’t known to transmit the coronavirus, but inland parks tend to have smaller beach areas that make social distancing difficult, Dykes said. The state is evaluating whether those swimming areas can reopen later this summer.