Mar 20, 2020

Restaurants, cafes, and taverns permitted to sell sealed alcoholic beverages with take-out meals; barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors must temporarily close

Gov. Ned Lamont signed his eighth executive order (Executive Order 7G) pursuant to his emergency declaration, taking further actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut. This executive order:

• Permits certain restaurants and other eating establishments to sell alcohol with take-out food orders, and certain other licensees to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption under conditions specified in the order, and implementing orders to be issued by the Department of Consumer Protection;
• Directs the temporary closure of barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors and related businesses, effective Friday, March 20, 2020, at 8 p.m.;
• Expands the ability of patients and doctors to use telehealth for health care services;    
• Postpones Connecticut’s presidential primary from Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to Tuesday, June 2, 2020;
• Suspends noncritical court operations and associated requirements, deadlines, and statutes of limitations;
• Temporarily suspends in-person investigation visits regarding
  suspected elder abuse and extends timelines for reporting investigation results.

Regarding alcohol sales, any business with an active restaurant, caf?, or tavern liquor permit may sell sealed containers of alcoholic liquor for pick-up when:

• The sale accompanies a pick-up order of food prepared on the premises; 
• The type of alcoholic liquor sold for off-premise consumption shall be the same as what the permit would have allowed for on-premise consumption prior to Executive Order 7D (suspending eat-in service at restaurants, caf?s, and taverns); and
• The hour of such sales shall be the same as those for a package store (Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; on Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). 

Delivery of alcoholic beverages is not permitted with restaurant, caf? or tavern liquor permits. Additionally, businesses with liquor permits that allow for the manufacture of alcoholic liquor may continue to sell sealed bottles for off-premise consumption in a manner consistent with their existing permits. Commissioner of Consumer Protection Michelle H. Seagull may issue implementing orders and guidance necessary to implement the temporary sale of alcoholic liquors for off-premise consumption by restaurants, caf?s and taverns. This section takes effect on Friday, March 20, 2020, at 12 p.m.

As of March 19, 2020, an additional 63 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 159. This includes the first cases to be reported out of Tolland and Windham counties. Also, it includes an unnamed member of the Connecticut General Assembly who began showing symptoms of the sickness on March 15—just days after the March 11 House and Senate sessions, when lawmakers passed a major bonding package. The lawmaker who tested positive was reportedly present at the Capitol on March 11, and voted on the bonding bill. All members of the Connecticut House of Representatives were notified and encouraged to exercise caution.

The breakdown for positive tests by county is:   

• Fairfield County: 102
• Hartford County: 18
• Litchfield County: 7
• Middlesex County: 3
• New Haven County: 23
• Tolland County: 4
• Windham County: 2

There have been three fatalities in Connecticut due to complications from COVID-19.