Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Health Department is prioritizing contact tracing and response efforts to cases of those who are hospitalized, residents of long-term care facilities, people who are incarcerated, and those who are immunocompromised.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement:

"First and foremost, as we face a national emergency, I want all Vermonters to know that my office is here to help. Please do not hesitate to be in touch if we can be of assistance on our website or by phone: 1-802-862-0697. Please know that our call volume may be higher than normal and you may have to leave a message during business hours. My staff will be checking messages regularly and will call you back as soon as possible.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Public Utility Commission directed the state's regulated utilities to stop any disconnection of residential utility service due to nonpayment of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications bills. This moratorium on involuntary utility disconnections will last until at least April 30, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference Wednesday, Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration provided an update on recent mitigation actions in response to COVID-19, including additional details on the closure of schools and child care centers while maintaining child care services for essential persons. There are now 19 confirmed cases in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square, a leading provider of affordable, service-enriched housing for older adults and people with special needs in Vermont, has received $125,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation for capital improvements and repairs to an historic Burlington mansion, ensuring continued housing and services for the 15 low-income older adults who live there.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police has arrested Francis Phelps, 29, of Royalton in connection with the fatal shooting Tuesday, March 17, at a home on Vermont Route 14. Phelps is expected to be arraigned at 1 p.m. today — Wednesday, March 18 — in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to facilitate increased applications to its Unemployment Insurance Claims Center, the Vermont Department of Labor has announced the creation of an electronic form and staffing increases to assist those individuals impacted as a result of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine The Association of Vermont Credit Unions and Vermont Bankers Association are working together to reassure their members and customers about the safety, security, and reliability of Vermont’s strong financial services industry. Financial institutions across Vermont are activating their pandemic response plans to minimize impact on the delivery of financial services, and keep members, customers, and employees safe.

For credit unions and banks alike, what remains unchanged are credit and debit cards, checks, ATMs, digital banking and lending, and electronic payments. These provide consumers reliable access to their accounts. What may change is that many financial institutions are emphasizing drive-through services and limiting access to their lobbies to protect the health of consumers and staff. But even with these changes, consumers have ongoing access to their accounts, their funds, and the services they need.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine With Governor Phil Scott’s executive order that schools close from March 18 to April 6, regular educational services do not continue, and students are not expected to make educational progress. Other services, such as child care for essential public safety and healthcare workers, will be supported by the district’s staff. If it becomes necessary to extend this closure period beyond April 6, districts may also be asked to provide more formal educational services to students. All educational services, to the extent possible, would then be offered to all students through various remote and virtual means.

Visitor Restrictions Take Effect, Putnam Café Closes.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), is continuously working to minimize the spread of COVID-19, while ensuring safety for patients and their families. The most recent actions include the postponement of all non-urgent appointments and procedures, further restriction of visitors, and the closure of the Putnam Café.

“We have a dedicated and talented team of professionals here,” said Tom Dee, SVHC’s president and CEO. “We are making changes that allow them to focus their complete attention on reducing the impact of COVID-19 in our community.”

Postponement of Non-Urgent Appointments

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued a directive and announced additional guidance for preK-12 schools and childcare centers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor directed childcare centers across the state to close normal operations but encouraged them to continue operationg exclusively where needed to provide childcare services for workers who are essential to Vermont’s ongoing effort in community mitigation of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine State healthcare leaders are encouraging anyone who is sick to stay home and contact their health care provider by phone. They should avoid going to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation. Anyone who does not have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 to be connected to a clinic in their area.