Effective today, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, Connecticut is lifting its mask mandate for vaccinated individuals per Executive Order No. 12.  During a press conference on May 17th, Governor Lamont announced that Connecticut will follow the CDC’s lead in loosening COVID-19 restrictions based on positive indicators including scientific data showing the effectiveness of vaccines, decreased COVD-19 test positivity and hospitalization rates, and increasing vaccination rates throughout the State.  In addition, all of the other COVID-19 sector rules for businesses that had been implemented last spring will also be lifted today.

Here is a summary of the State’s updated mask protocol:

  • Outdoors: Masks are not required for vaccinated or unvaccinated persons;
  • Indoors: Masks are only required for unvaccinated persons in public settings who do not maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person; individuals who are vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask, except that:
    • Businesses, state and local government offices and event venues may choose to require universal masking subject to CDC and OSHA guidance; and
    • Masks will still be required in any taxi, car, livery, ride-sharing or similar service, commercial aircraft, or any means of mass public transit, or while within any airport, bus or train station, enclosed transit stop or waiting area, homeless shelter or correctional facility.

Later today, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is expected to issue revised recommendations and considerations for masks in businesses, large gatherings and events, and other settings, as well as a detailed description of the settings in which masks are still required.  The new policy gives business owners the authority to decide what works best for their business.  Businesses should review the DPH’s recommendations in conjunction with the most recent CDC and OSHA guidance, consider their own unique client or customer base and the needs of their employees, and seek legal counsel as needed when crafting their own masking policies.

Notably, as related to mask mandates in schools and childcare, the executive order allows the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Early Childhood to issue rules requiring masks in schools.  However, during the May 17 briefing, Governor Lamont highly encouraged a mask requirement in schools given that most students are not yet eligible for vaccination.  Due to this lack of clarity, we expect that additional guidance will be released in the near future, and will continue to update our readers with new information as it becomes available.

That said, as the pandemic continues to unfold, keep in mind that masking and other restrictions may be reinstated depending on an increase in the State’s positivity rate and/or hospitalizations, the spread of variants, and vaccination rates.  Nevertheless, the State’s policy signals the beginning of a potential return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

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Photo of Gabriel Jiran Gabriel Jiran

Gabriel Jiran is a partner in Shipman’s Employment and Labor Practice Group. Gabriel practices labor and employment law on behalf of corporations and public employers. He assists employers in addressing the full spectrum of issues associated with the employment relationship. He negotiates collective…

Gabriel Jiran is a partner in Shipman’s Employment and Labor Practice Group. Gabriel practices labor and employment law on behalf of corporations and public employers. He assists employers in addressing the full spectrum of issues associated with the employment relationship. He negotiates collective bargaining agreements, and frequently represents employers before administrative agencies and courts in labor disputes. Gabriel also litigates employment disputes on behalf of employers.

Photo of Sheridan L. King Sheridan L. King

Sheridan’s practice is dedicated to identifying, evaluating and mitigating the array of legal and compliance risks that employers face.  She regularly counsels employers on issues including hiring, termination, privacy issues, compensation issues, state and federal compliance, and state and federal leave and paid…

Sheridan’s practice is dedicated to identifying, evaluating and mitigating the array of legal and compliance risks that employers face.  She regularly counsels employers on issues including hiring, termination, privacy issues, compensation issues, state and federal compliance, and state and federal leave and paid time off laws. She also works diligently with employers to prepare business focused and legally compliant employment strategies as well as provides advice as to how employers may be affected by and handle the latest employment laws and regulations.

Photo of Sarah A. Westby Sarah A. Westby

Sarah is the Chair of Shipman’s Cannabis Industry Team and a Partner in our Employment and Labor Practice Group. She advises clients on formation and management of a cannabis business, interpretation of state and federal cannabis laws and regulations, social equity qualifications and…

Sarah is the Chair of Shipman’s Cannabis Industry Team and a Partner in our Employment and Labor Practice Group. She advises clients on formation and management of a cannabis business, interpretation of state and federal cannabis laws and regulations, social equity qualifications and partnerships, business-related disputes, employment matters and contracts. Sarah also counsels clients on a wide variety of employment matters, including discrimination, medical leave, sexual harassment, compensation, termination, severance, and workplace safety.  She has significant experience litigating cases in state and federal court and before administrative agencies.  Sarah also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Simply Smiles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that builds villages of foster homes for Native children in the United States and Mexico.