CT Coronavirus Updates: Fines For No Masks, Large Gatherings

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont will begin to institute coronavirus-related fines later this week to keep crowd sizes down during the pandemic.

The fines will be:

• $100 for violating the state’s mask order.
• $500 for organizing a private event that exceeds 25 people indoors/100 outdoors.
• $250 for attending an event that exceeds the capacity limits.

Businesses will be responsible for their employees and individuals will be responsible for their own actions.

“This is really following the lead of our municipalities saying that we need a little more leverage when people are breaking the rules, when institutions and businesses are breaking the rules,” Lamont said.

Fines can be issued by law enforcement or local public health departments.

Lamont will sign an executive order later this week to set up the fine process, according to state COO Josh Geballe.

Separately, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will fine people $50 for not wearing masks on public transit, including Metro North railroad.

The state’s mask order mandates masks be used when social distancing becomes difficult or impossible to maintain. It’s generally understood that masks should be used indoors at places like businesses and outdoors in crowded areas. Patrons can take masks off at indoor restaurants while eating.

Masks aren’t required for people who have a medical exemption, but proof of the exemption must be shown.

Connecticut’s mask compliance is high; around 87 percent of people in a recent survey said they wear masks often while in public.

The state will also be simplifying its travel advisory. Those traveling from states on travel advisory list either have to self-quarantine for 14 days or have proof of a negative coronavirus result within 72 hours of arriving in the state.

Travelers need to fill out an online form.

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See also: Lamont Addresses Coronavirus School Closure Policies

• CT Coronavirus Updates: 569 New Cases, Hospitalizations Rise
• CT Coronavirus School Closures List

People can also take a test after they arrive in Connecticut, but they must quarantine until the results are known.

There are also exemptions for essential workers traveling for business-related reasons.

There are 35 states or territories on the travel advisory list, which is updated on Tuesdays. Lamont said several states on the list are close to reaching metrics that would take them off the list soon.