Connecticut governor mulls easing restrictions following coronavirus case drop

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) says he’s mulling easing coronavirus restrictions following a drop in infections.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Lamont said he’s considering backing off on some rules meant to limit COVID-19’s spread, particularly ending the numerical cap on houses of worship.

“There’s been some legal cases around the country, you probably know. There’s some folks outspoken that think that now is the time to do that, and I think we’re going to do that,” Lamont said.

“Look, I’ll be blunt. We’re going to have all the folks 75 and above vaccinated, who want to get vaccinate[d] at least, for their first dose within a couple of weeks, moving quickly into the 65 and above. It’s much safer to do, to go to church once you’ve been vaccinated,” he continued.

Houses of worship in Connecticut are currently limited to 50 percent capacity and can only have 100 people, The Associated Press reports. Worshipers have to wear masks and socially distance.

Lamont also hinted that he would consider lifting the 10 p.m. curfew on restaurants. 

“Some of our neighbors, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, are lifting the curfew on their restaurants,” Lamont said. “We have higher occupancies, so it’s not to apples-to-apples, but it’s worth looking at.”

Connecticut is No. 3 state in the nation in terms of its coronavirus vaccine rollout, Lamont announced in the briefing. The state has administered 364,255 total doses, including 299,9876 first doses and 64,379 second doses.

Thirty-five percent of those aged 75 and above in Connecticut have been vaccinated.