Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday that the state will move into phase 3 of reopening on Oct. 8, allowing increased capacity for restaurants and larger gatherings such as graduations and weddings, while bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

"Phase 3 is coming about because Connecticut has earned it," Lamont said, and because the state wanted to "re-think" options for businesses as the weather gets colder and fewer opportunities for outdoor dining and events will be available.

In the state's third phase, indoor restaurants and businesses including libraries, salons and barbershops will be able to increase from 50% capacity to 75% capacity. Indoor performing arts venues will be able to open at 50% capacity, with proper social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.

All of the new guidelines, Lamont said, are "subject to the appropriate safety requirements" to avoid a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, including 6-foot social distancing, masks, sanitization and cooperation with contact tracing efforts.

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Lamont said the state made the decision to open indoor performing arts venues at 50% because a lower capacity wouldn't be financially feasible for most venues. He said that safety measures at these venues will be strictly enforced, and the decision will be revisited if necessary.

Bars and nightclubs, however, will remain closed for the foreseeable future "for reasons I think most people understand," Lamont said.

The governor wouldn’t confirm that bars will remain closed until a vaccine is available for the virus, but said that the state will be in a better position to reconsider opening bars and nightclubs later this year when there will hopefully be a vaccine and five-minute testing for the virus.

"We're going to know so much more over the next two months, I think it's worth waiting a little longer," he said, adding that the reopening of bars in other states has led to spikes in COVID-19 infections.

Social gatherings, such as weddings and corporate events, that are held indoors in commercial spaces also will be allowed to increase in size to 50% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people allowed — a significant hike from the current 25-person limit. At private residences, indoor gatherings like house parties still will be limited to 25 people.

The number of people allowed at social gatherings held outdoors on any type of property will increase from 100 to 150 people.

Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said that the governor’s office has maintained an open dialogue with wedding venues across the state and hopes to see the number of weddings increase.

Outdoor event venues like theaters, stadiums and racetracks also will be able to increase their capacities from 25% to 50%.

Schools now will be able to hold indoor graduation ceremonies for the first time in months, permitting 50% capacity — up to 200 people — with masks and social distancing. Outdoor graduations will be allowed, also up to 50% capacity.

Indoor and outdoor religious gatherings can increase to 50% capacity — capped at 200 people indoors — with proper distancing and masks.

Scott Dolch, executive director of the CT Restaurant Association, released a statement following Lamont’s news conference.

“Today’s news is another important step in Connecticut’s nation-leading efforts to respond to COVID-19 in a safe and responsible manner. Like the rest of the country, Connecticut is not out of the woods of this pandemic by any stretch, but we've proven that it’s possible to be mindful of our local economy at the same time we keep our residents as safe as possible,” Dolch said.

He commended the work Connecticut residents, business owners and leaders have done to lower COVID-19 case rates while allowing businesses to operate.

“Connecticut restaurateurs have proven their ability to adapt, follow new rules and serve customers safely,” he said. “Today’s news is a recognition of their hard work and commitment to being part of the solution, and a recognition that the state must help a sector that at its peak employed 10% of the state’s workforce.”

During his news conference Thursday, Lamont also acknowledged the unrest in Louisville, Ky., and across the country after a grand jury decided Wednesday to indict only one officer for wanton endangerment following the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor inside her apartment in March. Her name has become a rallying cry at protests calling for greater police accountability in the killings of Black people.

“The tragedy is an innocent young girl, whose future was ahead of her, died absolutely needlessly,” Lamont said.

The governor said the incident is a reminder of “the violence that’s out there, the guns that are out there, and the necessity of protecting the Breonna Taylors of this world, and I take that seriously every day.”

t.hartz@theday.com