COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Downtown Bridgeport Businesses

Updated April 15, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. Governor Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut will ease businesses restrictions on Friday, March 19. Information on those requirements are detailed in our Downtown Bridgeport Back to Business Guide below, as well as in our most recent Business Alert Newsletter below the Guide.

Protocols that will remain in effect until further notice include:

  • Face coverings and masks continue to be required.
  • Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed.
  • 11:00 p.m. closing time remains in place for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment.
  • Indoor theaters continue to have a 50% capacity.
  • Large event venues (e.g. stadiums) to open in April.

Contact your local Small Business Development Center and the State’s Department of Economic and Community Development by email or phone (860-500-2333) to help your business prepare, rebuild, and grow during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Bridgeport DSSD by email or by phone at (203) 908-3622 with any questions.

 

DOWNTOWN BRIDGEPORT BACK TO BUSINESS GUIDE

There have been a number of guides and toolkits created for the business community to reopen safely for their customers and their employees. Below is a summary of some of the available resources, organized by business type.

Restaurants and Food Businesses: Restaurants are allowed to operate at 100% capacity with a maximum of 8 people limited to a table and all parties separated by six feet; and they will be required to close by 11:00 p.m. Gathering sizes for social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues will be revised to 100 indoors/200 outdoors.

 

Retail: This includes smaller stores, such as clothing, toy, shoe, and jewelry stores. All retail establishments may operate at 100% capacity, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required.

Personal Services: These include nail and hair salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors. All personal services establishments may operate at 100% capacity, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required.

Arts, Entertainment, and Events Venues: Performing arts venues and movie theaters may operate at 50% capacity with spacing and can sell concessions/food.

Hotels: Hotels are open to guests with reservations, and must ensure strict adherence to the protocols listed here. Read the State of Connecticut’s Rules for Reopening Hotels here. The Downtown’s Holiday Inn Hotel opened on June 20th. Contact hotel staff for more information by phone at (203) 334-1234, or by visiting their website here.

Professional offices: Governor Lamont’s task force recommends employees continue to work from home where possible.

BUSINESS ALERTS

Since March 17, the Bridgeport DSSD has sent out a series of business alerts with information about emergency operations, how to get support for your local business, and disaster recovery resources that are available. If you would like to be added to the business alert newsletter list, send us an email. Below is a listing of those alerts, which will be updated as new alerts are released.

The holidays are over, but you can still love your local! Shop Locally and Give Colorfully from Downtown Bridgeport with our neighborhood shopping guide.