Current News

Vermont Business Magazine At a time when Vermont’s safety net health care delivery system is being tested, home health, hospice and other medically necessary services provided by The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health & Hospice continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, only two agency programs are closed — adult day care sites in Colchester, Essex and South Burlington, and community and private foot clinics. The decision to close these programs was driven by leadership’s commitment to reducing the spread of the virus.

Vermont Business Magazine In accordance with the Executive Order issued by Governor Scott, Rutland Regional Medical Center will restrict visitors to the hospital and all Rutland Regional off-site clinic locations. This plan began March 18. These restrictions apply to all visitors except for legally authorized individuals and essential support people who are necessary to assist with a patient’s care such as pediatric, obstetric, end-of-life, and dementia care.

by Hal Wentworth, Senior Vice President for Retail Banking at Community Bank NA At Community Bank, NA, the safety and comfort of our customers, employees and communities will always remain our top priority. We’ve been closely monitoring updates and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about the evolving situation of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Based on the current information provided, we’ve made the proactive decision to close all branch lobbies and operate solely through our available drive-thrus, starting Thursday, March 19. Branches without drive-thru capabilities will close temporarily. All branch lobbies will be available by appointment only, including locations with and without drive-thru. Community Bank, NA, has branches across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier today, North Star Leasing in Burlington took action to help alleviate the current stress its 3,800 customers are experiencing during this difficult time by offering the North Star Leasing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Deferred Payment Plan. The plan, being rolled out throughout the day, allows for customers to defer their next payment if they choose. The company will evaluate the program over the coming weeks to determine if a second deferment is warranted.

"We recognized the need to act and take this step for our customers in order to help them bridge the gap during these very stressful times," Dan Feeney, CEO said. "Being proactive and offering a little peace of mind to our customers is our top priority as we work through the developments of this outbreak. Our bank group and board fully support this extraordinary measure."

About North Star Leasing Company

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank, with branches across Vermont, today announced additional steps it will take across its network to support clients and help protect its teammates and our communities from the spread of coronavirus. Starting March 19, 2020, all KeyBank branches will move to serving clients by drive-thru or in its lobbies by appointment only. This move will allow KeyBank to continue to offer full-service to its clients while also instituting appropriate social-distancing guidelines as recommended by local, state, and federal health authorities.

Agency of Natural Resources Due to the anticipated spread of the COVID-19 virus and the current state of emergency declared by Governor Phil Scott, effective immediately the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will temporarily stop pursuing enforcement action against retailers or redemption centers who fail to redeem beverage containers subject to Vermont’s bottle bill law (10 VSA §1523).

Vermont DEC has taken this step in allowing retailers and redemption centers to temporarily stop redemption services to reduce unnecessary person-to-person contact and possible virus transmission and to let grocers to focus on restocking food shelves and other needed work to assure availability of groceries.

This temporary period will end on April 30, 2020 unless extended by DEC. Decisions about whether to close or stop redeeming during this time are solely at the discretion of the retailer/redemption center.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation today issued a memo regarding COVID-19 and Telemedicine Services urging health insurers to expand coverage and reimbursement of telemedicine services, including audio-only telephone, email, or facsimile where clinically appropriate. Telemedicine services are an important tool in practicing social distancing, preventing the spread of COVID-19, and protecting our healthcare workers.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank has announced steps to support businesses and individuals facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. NBT has temporarily increased daily limits for ATM withdrawals and mobile deposits; is temporarily waiving late fees; is temporarily waiving penalties for early CD withdrawals up to $20,000; and is offering certain payment deferrals on consumer loans. For Small Business Customers—NBT has temporarily increased daily limits on mobile deposits; is temporarily waiving late fees; is temporarily waiving penalties for early CD withdrawals up to $20,000; and has developed programs to provide relief through working capital lines of credit and payment deferrals.

Vermont Business Magazine If you're looking for a little good news during this difficult time dominated by the coronavirus, gasoline prices have fallen, and in some places dramatically so. In Vermont, the lowest price reported on the vermontgasprices.com website (GasBuddy app) is Cunningham's in Canaan, which is down to $1.98 a gallon. The average statewide price is $2.34 a gallon, down 10 cents from a week ago and nearly 20 cents less than this time last year.

VSECU, Montpelier With sensitivity to the health and safety of our employees, members, and community surrounding the growing spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are immediately modifying access to our branches. We are taking this difficult but necessary step to limit human-to-human contact while continuing to provide all the financial products and services you need.

HOW ARE WE MODIFYING ACCESS?

Vermont Business Magazine Caledonia Spirits - the popular Vermont-based distiller of Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Vodka, and Tom Cat Gin – has added a very different item to its production line this week in an effort to help the local cause. With the raw materials needed to make hand sanitizer already on hand, the distillery’s team got together and started producing it for local nonprofit organizations. Its first delivery was to the Vermont Foodbank yesterday.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is temporarily suspending visitation, restricting entrances, and screening everyone who enters hospital facilities and clinics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a commitment to the care and safety of our patients and our staff, visitation is being restricted as of 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. The change comes as our workforce continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following protocols focused on stopping the spread of the disease, as outlined below.