UPDATE: This report was updated with new information at 8:40 am, November 3 and has corrected the day and time modified restrictions go into effect.

* * * * *

After logging 2,651 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 virus-related deaths since last Friday, Governor Ned Lamont is instituting what he called “Phase 2.1” restrictions — rolling back some guidelines and instituting uniform 9:30 pm closings of all restaurants, limiting them to 50 percent occupancy, and making a strong recommendation that all state residents stay at home between 10 pm and 5 am, effective at 12:01 am on Friday, November 6.

Lamont said he is amping up restrictions as a preventative measure in the hope he will not have to institute more severe and immediate restrictions in the near future as cases and deaths statewide climbed to a rolling average of 3.6 percent positivity — the highest weekly rate since June 6.

The governor said he is also limiting event venues to 25 people inside and 50 outdoors, and capping religious gatherings to a maximum of 50 percent capacity or 100 people maximum.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal called the news "disappointing but not surprising."

"We already had the option to roll back to Phase 2 locally, however based on my interactions with [Health District Director] Donna Culbert, neither one of us saw that as necessary at this time," Rosenthal told The Newtown Bee. "Unfortunately, the Phase 2.1 rollback appears to fall the hardest on our restaurant community, especially as the cold weather sets in and limits outdoor dining. We will continue to work with them collaboratively and I encourage our residents to continue supporting them as well as all of our local businesses."

On October 30, Culbert was out in front of many health officials who have since begun recommending taking the top preventative measures including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at home and in very small gatherings.

“As we turn toward the holidays, even as soon as Halloween, and we’re spending more time indoors, I want people to be thoughtful about how they are interacting with others and be as protective as possible,” Culbert said.

The governor announced his rollbacks of Phase 3 reopening allowances during a Monday press briefing. Joining the governor on his press call, Deidre Gifford, MD, MPH, Acting Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health said the restrictions will also preserve hospital capacity not only for increasing COVID cases, but for those with serious emergency concerns like heart attacks, and those who need cancer treatments.

The major changes that will occur under Phase 2.1 include:

• Restaurants will reduce to 50 percent capacity with a maximum of eight people limited to a table;

• Restaurants and entertainment venues (i.e. bowling allies, movie theaters, arcades, etc.) will be required to close by 9:30 pm, with the exception of food takeout and delivery services, which will be allowed to continue after 9:30 pm;

• Personal services, such as hair salons and barber shops, will remain at 75 percent capacity;

• Event venues will be limited to 25 people indoor, 50 people outdoor;

• Performing arts venues and movie theaters will have a capacity of 100 people; and

• Religious gatherings will be limited to 50 percent capacity or 100 people maximum.

Employers are reminded to maximize telework to the extent possible, and those over 60 and with chronic conditions are urged to remain home as much as possible.

The governor is expected to soon issue an executive order implementing Phase 2.1, and the Department of Economic and Community Development in the coming days will provide businesses with further guidance on the changes.

As of November 1, at 8:30 pm, the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported among Connecticut residents was 73,858, including 69,826 laboratory-confirmed and 4,032 probable cases. Three-hundred-forty patients were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 at that time and there were 4,627 reported COVID-19-associated deaths.