Processing Your Payment

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

June 16, 2020

Ready for Phase 2? City aims to help businesses prepare

PHOTO | New Haven BIZ Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill, at 51 Broadway in New Haven.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

As more businesses welcome back customers this week, city officials say they are ready to help them make sure they are complying with all the rules.

On Monday, the city of New Haven hosted a webinar to provide an overview for Phase 2 reopening guidelines and protocols for businesses.

“It’s important to ensure you understand the rules and comply because there will be inspections,” said Cathy Graves, the city’s deputy director of economic development.

New Haven Building Official Jim Turcio urged business owners to reach out if they have any questions.

“If you need help setting up, call us and we will help you, that’s what we are here for,” Turcio said.

Graves also urged businesses to make sure they self-certify prior to reopening. The state’s Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) has information on the process HERE.

Under Phase 2 of Gov. Ned Lamont’s plans to reopen the state, more restrictions are being eased as of Wednesday, June 17. 

Restaurants are allowed to have indoor dining again, though at 50-percent capacity. Other sectors impacted by this phase include amusement parks, hotels, museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, bowling alleys, libraries, outdoor events, personal services such as nail salons and tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness centers. 

New Haven Health Department Director Maritza Bond outlined the rules for some 50 people participating in the webinar.

For restaurants restoring indoor dining, she noted capacity must be no greater than 50 percent, with a system for ongoing tracking of how many people are inside the establishment at any given time. Restaurants have to post signs to make sure patrons are following social-distancing protocols, and provide personal protection equipment. If restaurant owners don’t have the proper PPE, Bond encouraged them to delay opening. 

Owners should do a daily health check for employees, and tell sick workers to stay home. By keeping logs of any illnesses, it will help officials if contact tracing is needed later on, Bond said. 

Shifts should be staggered as much as possible, and in restaurant kitchens, work stations should be rearranged to provide social distancing. Staff must wear face masks at all times. 

Buffets, salad bars and self-service beverage stations are all prohibited, Bond noted.

For restaurant customers, tables should be six feet apart, and menus should be disposable. Restaurants may provide laminated menus, but these must be disinfected following each use. Customers should wear masks for most of their dine-in experience — except, of course, when they are eating. 

According to Bond, the city will be performing unannounced inspections to ensure compliance.

“You want to do a full assessment of whether you are ready to reopen, if not we recommend you delay your reopening,” Bond said.

For businesses such as nail salons, the rules are similar, with 50-percent capacity allowed. Visits must be by appointment only, and customers shouldn’t be allowed inside without a mask. Waiting rooms should be closed, and any magazines removed. There should be regular cleanings between customers too, Bond said in the webinar. 

Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill, at 51 Broadway in New Haven, is among the establishments preparing for this next phase of reopening.

Previously open for carryout and delivery, it is allowing limited on-site dining this week.

“As Connecticut takes its first steps towards a cautious reopening, we are ready and able to provide our customers with the always-fresh food they love,” said Marc Miles, co-owner of Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill.

Miles said employees will always be wearing gloves and masks, and restaurants throughout the chain are being disinfected multiple times each day. They will be monitoring employee temperatures to reassure both employees and customers, he said.

Need more guidance on how to get ready to reopen your business? For a complete list of rules by sector, visit the state DECD website HERE.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF