Despite more muted celebrations for 2021 due to the pandemic, Connecticut residents went out and about to prepare.

Gov. Ned Lamont says all restaurants are to close by 10 p.m., and fines will be issued if they don't listen to the rules. He also says that celebrating the wrong way could be damaging long-term.

Lamont says indoor and outdoor gatherings should be limited to 10 people.

But shopping centers in Stamford were packed all day with people looking for food to prepare for their at-home celebrations.

Stamford resident Kate Vos is ditching her usual New York City New Year's plans to make sure she and her loved ones stay safe.

"I think it's a perfect button to end of this year, we've been inside and spending time with loved ones, so we should carry that into the next year, because it was one gift we got from 2020," says Vos.

While many people are excited for the official countdown to put 2020 behind us, Lamont is reminding the state that now is not the time to let our guard down.