Reopening Sector Rules for CT Restaurants
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What are the current capacity and gathering size limits?
Gathering size restrictions (indoor and outdoor) are updated by the state and listed HERE.
Beginning November 6
Gathering size restrictions (indoor and outdoor) are updated by the state and listed HERE.
Beginning November 6
- Indoor capacity at restaurants - 50% (subject to 6 foot spacing and/or barriers)
- Allowable capacity for private indoor events - 25 people (limit 50% venue capacity)
- Allowable capacity for private outdoor events - 50 people.
What is the max table size allowed for indoor and outdoor dining?
Beginning November 6: 8 people per table.
Beginning November 6: 8 people per table.
Does food have to be served with alcohol?
Yes. Food MUST be ordered with alcohol, for both onsite dining and drinks to go. Please reference the following EO's, which are still in effect.
Yes. Food MUST be ordered with alcohol, for both onsite dining and drinks to go. Please reference the following EO's, which are still in effect.
Can restaurants seat guests at the bar without barriers (ie, plexiglass)?
Barriers at the bar are not required ONLY when staff are performing very limited duties and staff are wearing required PPE. Bar work stations must have a barrier or be spaced at least 6 feet from any guests. For clarification, please reference Restaurant Guidelines section on bar seating (page 11).
Can customers still sit at the bar with Phase 2.1 (November 6 changes):
Yes, these guidelines were set as part of Phase 2 and are still in effect.
Barriers at the bar are not required ONLY when staff are performing very limited duties and staff are wearing required PPE. Bar work stations must have a barrier or be spaced at least 6 feet from any guests. For clarification, please reference Restaurant Guidelines section on bar seating (page 11).
Can customers still sit at the bar with Phase 2.1 (November 6 changes):
Yes, these guidelines were set as part of Phase 2 and are still in effect.
Can restaurants serve drinks to walk ups at the bar?
No. There is no stand up or walk up service at bars. Guests must be seated at the bar (or table) to order drinks.
Private events ONLY may have walk up bar service provided they follow social distancing and all other indoor/outdoor event guidelines.
No. There is no stand up or walk up service at bars. Guests must be seated at the bar (or table) to order drinks.
Private events ONLY may have walk up bar service provided they follow social distancing and all other indoor/outdoor event guidelines.
Are singers allowed indoors?
Currently musical vocalists are not allowed indoors. Please reference page 12 of the Restaurant Guidelines for guidance on musical performers and other talent for both indoors/outdoors.
Please reference the Indoor/Outdoor Events Guidelines for additional guidance on staging, set up and rehearsals of live performances.
Currently musical vocalists are not allowed indoors. Please reference page 12 of the Restaurant Guidelines for guidance on musical performers and other talent for both indoors/outdoors.
Please reference the Indoor/Outdoor Events Guidelines for additional guidance on staging, set up and rehearsals of live performances.
Are walls allowed to be down on tents?
Tents are allowed to have two sides down (or no more than 50% of total wall space) at all times. If inclement weather occurs, a total of three flaps can be down. Once inclement weather passes, flaps must be lifted immediately. Fully enclosed tents or tents with over 50% of their total wall space down will be treated as an indoor event and must conform to state and local building codes.
Reference page 10 for state guidelines on tents HERE.
Tents are allowed to have two sides down (or no more than 50% of total wall space) at all times. If inclement weather occurs, a total of three flaps can be down. Once inclement weather passes, flaps must be lifted immediately. Fully enclosed tents or tents with over 50% of their total wall space down will be treated as an indoor event and must conform to state and local building codes.
Reference page 10 for state guidelines on tents HERE.
Are there restrictions to hours of operation for restaurants?
Beginning November 6: All restaurants must close by 9:30 pm for both indoor and outdoor dining. To go and take out can continue after 9:30 pm. No to go alcohol allowed after 9:30 pm.
Beginning November 6: All restaurants must close by 9:30 pm for both indoor and outdoor dining. To go and take out can continue after 9:30 pm. No to go alcohol allowed after 9:30 pm.
Do the gathering restriction fines apply to restaurants?
In general, restaurants adhering to both capacity limits and gathering size restrictions would not be subject to these fines. For example, a restaurant with total reservations of 40 guests indoors (no party larger than 25) and in accordance with capacity restrictions, would not be in violation. A restaurant accepting a party of 40 people indoors (in one group even if they are at different tables), would be in violation.
Restaurants should also be aware of the mask requirement. Businesses are responsible for their employees and could be fined if employees violate the mask order.
The EO addressing fines for violations can be found HERE.
In general, restaurants adhering to both capacity limits and gathering size restrictions would not be subject to these fines. For example, a restaurant with total reservations of 40 guests indoors (no party larger than 25) and in accordance with capacity restrictions, would not be in violation. A restaurant accepting a party of 40 people indoors (in one group even if they are at different tables), would be in violation.
Restaurants should also be aware of the mask requirement. Businesses are responsible for their employees and could be fined if employees violate the mask order.
The EO addressing fines for violations can be found HERE.
* NOTE: The CRA makes every effort to update FAQ's regularly. However, in case of a discrepancy, we strongly recommend you reference Reopening Rules which the state updates periodically and the Governor's Executive Orders, which take precedence over any guidance provided here. In some cases, local municipalities may have requirements or specifications that go above and beyond state mandates.
