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Vermont Business Magazine Green Up Vermont has been closely monitoring cornonavirus (COVID-19) communications and guidance from the Vermont Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports, and daily news from Governor Scott and our federal government. The situation is fluid and our greatest priority is the health and well-being of our Green Up family of volunteers and event participants.

by Tim McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Travelers entering Vermont and lodging establishments are the latest groups called on to help fight the spread of COVID-19 in Vermont, according to Governor Phil Scott’s Monday order. As a governor whose core message often includes growing Vermont’s economy and population, this was a call for “public health and safety, which is our top priority.”

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference Monday, March 30, Governor Phil Scott announced new restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont. Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont from outside the state ­– for anything other than an essential purpose ­­– should home-quarantine for 14 days. Travel to Vermont by anyone from a COVID-19 “hot spot” is strongly discouraged at this time.

by Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe Vermonters have always stepped up to do their part during hard times. We lend a helping hand, take care of neighbors, and look out for one another. The COVID-19 pandemic that’s testing our state and nation is an unprecedented challenge. As leaders of the legislative branch of government, we stand together with the Governor and our Congressional Delegation to protect Vermonters, aid those in need, and lead efforts to rebuild Vermont’s economy.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced a series of temporary changes to Vermont’s election laws passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that Vermont is prepared to safeguard the integrity of elections and the public’s health in the face of this global pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Weinberger: “Thank you to Superior Court Judge Helen Toor for recognizing that we are “facing unprecedented times” and taking swift action to protect Chittenden County residents from eviction and foreclosure for 90 days, with little exception. There will be complex financial and policy questions that we must still work through, and we will. For now, though, Judge Toor’s order is an important next step and reflects that our priority as a community is protecting health, life, and all of our neighbors.”

Vermont Business Magazine As of Monday afternoon, there were 21 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the Vermont Department of Health. The total number of cases is 256. The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus in Vermont remains at 12. Chittenden County has the most total cases with 155. Windsor County is next with 18 and Bennington County has 17.

Public Assets Institute One goal of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the $2 trillion federal stimulus law, is to encourage workers to stay home by providing them enough cash for their families to live on. For many Vermont workers, the policy succeeds. State unemployment benefits replace 58 percent of a worker’s wages and are capped at $513 a week. The feds will provide $600 a week on top of state benefits for unemployed workers through July 31.

Vermont Business Magazine As individuals and communities contend with the severe impacts of COVID-19, Vail Resorts' CEO, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana's Pantry, today announced a donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate support for both Vail Resorts employees and the mountain towns where the Company operates. The Vermont Community Foundation will receive $150,000. Vail owns the Mt Snow, Okemo and Stowe Mountain resorts in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The impact of the coronavirus on the healthcare system and on financial markets is all too clear. But what about the stress it’s putting on the food system and on those who are food insecure? University of Vermont researchers launched a survey this week, developed in collaboration with faculty at Johns Hopkins University, to determine those impacts.

CDC New England On March 27th, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with programs and initiatives intended to assist business owners. The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act provides an excellent summary about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs. The Guide was prepared by the office of Senator Ben Cardin, who is a ranking member on the Senate small business committee.

Vermont Chamber supports recently announced public health measures that increase safety

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber supports recently announced measures, including Governor Scott’s restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont, that increase the safety of our communities during this unprecedented public health emergency.

We are also concerned about the health of our state’s travel and lodging industry and are working hard to support employers and businesses impacted by COVID-19 and keep them informed of new restrictions.