Name: Gov. Ned Lamont announces new $10,000 fines for Connecticut businesses that break COVID-19 rules
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Gov. Ned Lamont announces new $10,000 fines for Connecticut businesses that break COVID-19 rules

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AdvertisementBy HartfordNov 25, 2020 at 7:46 pmConnecticut businesses that violate the state’s COVID-19 restrictions and capacity limits will now be subject to fines of $10,000 per violation beginning Thursday.The new penalty dramatically increases the current $500 fine for breaking the so-called sector rules for different types of businesses as the state clamps down ahead of the holiday shopping season as cases surge in nearly every area of the state.Advertisement“The sector rules and capacity limits we’ve implemented are intended to mitigate the spread of this disease to the greatest extent possible,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement Tuesday evening. “While the overwhelming majority of businesses in Connecticut have shown an incredible amount of leadership and have been fantastic partners in this front, we have seen a small number of businesses in flagrant violation of these public health rules, and that’s all you need to cause a super-spreading event that leads to a large number of cases and hospitalizations.”The new penalty was crafted after feedback from municipal leaders, public health officials and the business community about the current fine structure as officials try to stem the second wave of coronavirus cases that have pushed the number of hospitalized COVID patients to their highest totals since mid-May.Advertisement“Increasing compliance with the protocols we’ve already enacted is an important responsibility in keeping our communities safe,” Lamont continued. “We want to do everything we can to mitigate the further spread of this virus while avoiding the implementation of more restrictions or lockdowns on our already hard-hit economy and small businesses.”The larger fine can be issued by local health directors, with the support of local police departments, and the state’s other existing fines will remain in effect. Those other fines include $500 for organizing an event over capacity limits, $250 for attending over-capacity events, $100 for not wearing a face mask in public and up to $500 for violations of the state’s travel advisory.As it happensGet the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut &gt; Private gatherings at private residences, religious and spiritual gatherings, and graduations will not be subject to the new, larger fine but are still subject to their respective capacity limits, officials said.Manchester officials on Tuesday shut down the Hungry Tiger restaurant after the owner repeatedly flouted sector rules despite at least a half-dozen visits from local health inspectors and fire marshals.Last week, the state suspended the liquor license of the Legends Sports Bar in Bristol after inspectors from the area health department visited the bar after 10 p.m. Nov. 13 and found 45 patrons inside playing pool and consuming alcohol without food. The current sector rules requires restaurants and bars to close at 10 p.m. and that customers can only purchase alcohol with a food order.Earlier in the month, the state also suspended the liquor license of the Dixwell Social Lounge in Hamden after hundreds attended a Halloween party there. Municipal officials also have confronted businesses found to have broken sector rules.As cases have risen in recent weeks, Lamont and other top state officials have warned residents to be particularly cautious over their Thanksgiving breaks this week as families gather to celebrate, some college students return home to Connecticut and the holiday shopping season begins in earnest.“Particularly as we approach Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping season, we want to stress the importance of following public health protocols to protect both customers and workers,” Lamont said. “Working together, we can get the spread of COVID-19 under control while mitigating the impact that it is having on our economy.”AdvertisementZach Murdock can be reached at . Advertisement

AdvertisementBy HartfordNov 25, 2020 at 7:46 pmConnecticut businesses that violate the state’s COVID-19 restrictions and capacity limits will now be subject to fines of $10,000 per violation beginning Thursday.The new penalty dramatically increases the current $500 fine for breaking the so-called sector rules for different types of businesses as the state clamps down ahead of the holiday shopping season as cases surge in nearly every area of the state.Advertisement“The sector rules and capacity limits we’ve implemented are intended to mitigate the spread of this disease to the greatest...

Gov. Ned Lamont announces new $10,000 fines for Connecticut businesses that break COVID-19 rules

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