CT Bars, Concerts And Prom: Coronavirus Decisions Being Made Soon

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut could look closer to the pre-pandemic normal as nice weather approaches and the state rapidly accelerates coronavirus vaccinations. Gov. Ned Lamont said he would make announcements on bars, parades, prom and graduation ceremonies in the coming weeks.

“We still have to think about bars, we still have to think about concert venues, we’ll be giving some guidance on that in the next couple of weeks,” Lamont said.

Lamont encouraged people in their 20s and 30s to get vaccinated. State officials expect that demand for the vaccine won’t be as strong in the younger age demographic as it was for older residents.

“There will be outdoor parades, there will be outdoor parades… there will be outdoor graduations and even indoor graduations wearing the mask if there’s inclement weather,” Lamont said, so long as nothing dramatically changes in the next couple of weeks.

Prom season is rapidly approaching and Lamont expects to release guidance in about a week, he said.

“I’d like to think that we can have a nice prom this spring, but let us watch the numbers just a little bit more carefully and get back to you within a week,” he said.

Around 288,000 first doses will be delivered to Connecticut this week, which will mean that even more vaccine appointments will open up, Lamont said.

A large share of the vaccine supply uptick comes from Johnson & Johnson this week, but those numbers are expected to drop after this week, state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said. State officials still project that anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get at least their first dose by the end of April or early May at the latest.

By late April the process to get a vaccine will be less cumbersome and will include things like walk-up options and more mobile vaccine vans that will operate on an “ice cream truck” model where people can walk up to get a vaccine, Lamont said.

Meanwhile, Lamont said he had no plans to turn back things like full restaurant capacity.