Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

May 21, 2020

If reopening businesses don’t follow the rules, sanctions await

Gov. Ned Lamont speaks to the media during a briefing on Wednesday.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

As more businesses, including malls and retail stores, were allowed to reopen this week, they have a set of rules they must follow.

And with those rules come potential penalties for violating them — including possible forced closure.

On Wednesday, Gov Ned Lamont announced the state’s “enforcement protocols for safe reopening.” 

“Businesses must comply with the rules when they do reopen,” Lamont said during a press conference Wednesday. “We are a nation of rules and a state of rules — follow the rules.”

“Speak out if someone isn’t following the rules,” Lamont added. “Take this seriously, people. We are working together as best we can, and I need your compliance.”

The state has detailed rules aimed at businesses which have been allowed to reopen so far. Restaurants are allowed to have take-out and outdoor dining, but can’t have indoor seating, for example. Seating areas for eating inside malls must be closed off, and retail capacity has to be limited to 50 percent. Click HERE for a link to complete guidelines. 

According to Lamont’s office, local health officials, local law enforcement and municipalities can inspect businesses for compliance with the rules and will be handling enforcement of any violations. 

Businesses which reopen before they are officially given the go-ahead also face potential sanctions.

A first violation will typically result in a warning and reminder from local police.

If there is a more egregious violation, or a repeated one, police will then refer complaints to the local public health department or to the person the chief elected municipal official has designated to handle such complaints.

According to Lamont, the local public health department and chief elected official’s designee may order a business to close.

Anyone who wants to report a situation where rules aren’t being followed may contact local police or use an online complaint form at ct.gov/coronavirus. Complainants may also call 211 and an operator will fill out the form for them.

Those who submit the form will receive a response along with contact information for local police, public health officials, and the state Occupational Safety & Health (CONN-OSHA) and federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

As of Wednesday afternoon, the state had 39,017 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 3,529 deaths, according to Lamont’s office. 

Lamont has outlined his plans for additional reopenings over the next two months. Hair salons and barbers can open June 1. Around June 20, businesses such as movie theaters, gyms and outdoor amusement parks are expected to be allowed to reopen, with bars and large outdoor events joining them about a month later.

“We see a light at the end of the tunnel, and we are making progress,” Lamont said.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF