Capitol Update: New Reopening Guidelines, Early Opening of Trout Season and More
Posted on March 8, 2021
COVID-19 Restrictions to Be Eased Starting March 19th
As you may have heard, the Governor recently announced that the state will begin to relax some of the restrictions placed on businesses and gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following guidelines will continue to remain in place after March 19th until further notice:
- Face coverings and masks continue to be required
- Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed
- 11PM closing time remains in place for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment
- Indoor theaters continue to have a 50% capacity
- Large event venues (e.g. stadiums) to open in April
The protocols that will be revised in the coming days include:
Beginning Friday, March 19, 2021:
- All capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required:
- Restaurants (8-person table capacity and 11PM required closing time for dining rooms continues)
- Retail
- Libraries
- Personal services
- Indoor recreation (excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50% capacity)
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Museums, aquariums, and zoos
- Offices
- Houses of worship
- Gathering sizes will be revised to the following amounts:
- Social and recreational gatherings at private residence – 25 indoors/100 outdoors
- Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues – 100 indoors/200 outdoors
- All sports will be allowed to practice and compete, and all sports tournaments will be allowed, subject to Department of Public Health guidance
- Connecticut’s travel advisory will be modified from a requirement to recommended guidance
Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021:
- Capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20
Beginning Friday, April 2, 2021:
- Outdoor amusement parks can open
- Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people
- Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity
- Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season
Connecticut’s Trout Fishing Season Opens Early
On Friday, the Governor announced that trout fishing season will be opening earlier than the traditional second Saturday in April.
It’s important to note that not all bodies in the water have been stocked yet, so depending where you live it may be too early to get a good catch.
Here are the guidelines for the opening of trout fishing season:
Trout Parks
Can harvest 2 trout per day starting March 4th, 2021
Trout Management Areas (Rivers/Streams)
Catch and Release until April 10, 2021. Please refer to the respective TMA for rules effective on April 10, 2021 and beyond.
Trout Management Lakes
One fish per day, 16″ minimum length until March 31, 2021, then 5 fish per day.
Wild Trout Management Areas
- Class 2 – 2 trout per day, 12 inch minimum length (can harvest effective March 4, 2021)
- Class 3 – 5 trout per day, 9 inch minimum length (can harvest effective March 4, 2021)
For more information on trout fishing season and other conservation updates, check out Connecticut Fish and Wildlife’s website and Facebook page.
I will continue to provide updates on issues facing our state via my email newsletter (please sign up below) and on my Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Tim Ackert
State Representative for the 8th District
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