DANBURY, Conn. — New restrictions at Candlewood Lake boat launches took effect Wednesday. They are in response to an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Danbury.
Lattins Cove in Danbury is now closed, and Squantz Cove in New Fairfield is only open to 50% capacity.
"It really is a sad moment for us anglers, I guess all anglers that come here," said Ron Parker of Bridgeport. "They just felt like their livelihood was at stake," said Parker.
He is a bass angler who comes out to the lake almost every day to fish. He said he wasn't surprised to hear of the new restrictions, because he's seen the issue first hand.
"A lot of the islands in Danbury, and you could see all the pontoon boats all lined up, I'd see like 20 or 30 pontoon boats," he said.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says there have been parties on the islands, which have been closed to the public since August 1st. It also said there's been "rafting" where boats tie-up together in big groups on the water.
"I see it a lot, and I see it all over the lake and it happens generally right around that 11 to 1 o'clock range, somewhere around
that period of time and it's a pretty abundant amount of boats," said Parker.
Along with the restrictions, DEEP staff and ENCON police will be monitoring the boat launches. Others who visit the lake said they like to come out early to avoid the boat launch getting crowded. They said they're disappointed to hear people aren't social distancing, but they plan to continue doing what they can to stay safe.
"Look I mean people are not gonna follow rules all day long right? So you know they can do their thing, I'll do my thing, stay away from them," said Tony White of Philadelphia.
"I think there's always a worry when people aren't following the rules but out here on the water you're not near anybody and the docks are relatively not near capacity," said Mark Semon of Ridgefield.
The new restrictions will be in effect for two weeks, but may be extended if necessary.