Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there have been six new cases of COVID-19 since Friday for a total of 940 cases statewide. One more person died for a total as of Sunday of 54. Hospitalizations remained at three. Governor Scott's updated state of emergency and Be Smart, Stay Safe order on Friday (see below) allows the next step in reopening the state's economy. This includes starting tomorrow, May 18, limited general retail. There is also funding for child care centers available. PUA unemployment insurance claims should be largely resolved this week. And if health trends remain positive, hair salons and some other personal services will reopen June 1. However, dental offices and other close-contact services will have to wait longer.
Also on Friday Scott announced new guidance for the reopening of lodging establishments and cross-border travel. Lodging operations, short-term rentals, campgrounds, and marinas may accept overnight reservations for stays after May 22, 2020 from Vermont residents or those who have met the 14-day quarantine requirement. Governor Phil Scott on Friday announced new guidance for the reopening of lodging establishments and cross-border travel. Lodging operations, short-term rentals, campgrounds, and marinas may accept overnight reservations for stays after May 22, 2020 from Vermont residents or those who have met the 14-day quarantine requirement.
Details of the lodging and cross-border guidance are available at ACCD’s COVID-19 Recovery Resource Center.
As retail reopens in a limited capacity, retailers must review the mandatory health and safety requirements that apply to ALL businesses, including employee training, health screening and developing safety plans to ensure their business operations are being run in line with all Health Department requirements.
“As we move forward, businesses and employees must understand that how they work is essential to resuming and maintaining business operations,” said ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle. “Preventing outbreaks and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is the only way to avoid future business and social disruption.”
Shoppers should note that while staff are required to wear masks and the state is not mandating mask wearing for customers, the governor issued guidance Friday that city and town governments will be allowed to mandate public mask wearing. The City of Burlington is considering a plan that would make it mandatory for shoppers to wear masks. Businesses can separately require mask wearing by customers.
Additional retailer specific guidance includes:
- Non-essential retail operations are limited to 25% (twenty-five percent) of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 customer per 200 square feet; or 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater. Operators must POST their temporary occupancy limit, and which method was used to determine it, prominently on all entrances. Posting templates are available at accd.vermont.gov.
- Curbside pickup remains the preferred method of operation. When possible, retailers should take steps to schedule or stage customer visits, such as waiting in cars or outside, to ensure lower contact operations.
- Cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.
Critical retailers, such as grocery stores, that continued operations under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order do not need to reduce occupancy to continue operating.
Additional guidance for drive-in operations including, but not limited to, movie theaters, restaurants, religious services, graduation ceremonies, and other gatherings:
- Vehicles must be spaced a minimum of 6 (six) feet apart.
- No gatherings outside vehicles are allowed.
- Cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.
- Restrooms on site must be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
- Any concessions on site must be done via takeout or delivery or pursuant to any future food service guidance.
Find the full non-essential retail guidance and updated Restart Memo here: https://accd.vermont.gov/news/update-new-work-safe-additions-stay-home-stay-safe-order
Restart Resources for ALL businesses as they are reopened, including a capacity calculator and appropriate signage: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/business/restart
Sector-specific guidance: https://accd.vermont.gov/content/stay-home-stay-safe-sector-specific-guidance
If your program will be providing care for Vermont children this summer, you may qualify for a stipend to help with additional expenses directly associated with COVID-19.
To qualify for a stipend, your program must:
- Be open by July 6, 2020 (unless it would normally open for summer programming after July 6).
- Be located in Vermont and serving Vermont children.
- Provide either half-day or full-day care.
- Be an organized group such as a:
- Child care program/provider, or
- Day camp (e.g., sports camp, recreation program). Overnight camps are not eligible.
To request a stipend:
- Read the Frequently-Asked Questions to learn more about the stipend and who qualifies.
- Go to the Request a Stipend Page.
- Submit a request before midnight on May 22, 2020.
Testing at Pop-up Locations – Anyone without symptoms can now be tested at a pop-up location. Health care workers, first responders and child care providers are encouraged to get tested. People who are returning to Vermont, and who are at day 7 or later in their quarantine period, can also be tested. Find testing locations and dates and register for a test(link is external).
Call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell.
Be Smart, Stay Safe – See guidance on small steps you can now take to safely visit with a friend or family member. It is important to continue physical distancing when you leave home, to prevent new cases from quickly increasing. Keep six feet between yourself and others when you are out.
Wear a Cloth Mask – Make wearing cloth face masks or coverings a habit whenever you leave home. The covering should go over your mouth and nose. Since COVID-19 may be transmitted by someone who does not have symptoms, this covering helps you protect others. Learn more about how to use and make cloth face masks or coverings and where you can buy one(link is external).
People Coming to Vermont – Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont – for anything other than an essential purpose – should quarantine at home for 14 days.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on May 17, 2020
|
Total cases* |
940 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
3 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
11 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
810 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
54 |
||
|
Total tests |
22,276 |
||
|
People being monitored |
20 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
860 |
*Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.
+Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.
Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information.
STATE OF VERMONT
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
ADDENDUM 14 TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 01-20
[Extension of State of Emergency Declared March 13, 2020; Be Smart/Stay Safe]
WHEREAS, since December 2019, Vermont has been working in close collaboration with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and with the United States Health and Human Services Agency to monitor and plan for the potential for an outbreak of respiratory illness due to a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Governor directed the Vermont Department of Health (“VDH”) to activate the Health Operations Center in February 2020 when VDH began to monitor and later, test Vermonters who may have been exposed to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, in March 2020, the Governor directed the Department of Public Safety, Division of Vermont Emergency Management (“DPS/VEM”) to assemble an interagency taskforce, and later to activate the Vermont State Emergency Operations Center (“SEOC”), in accordance with the State Emergency Management Plan, to organize prevention, response, and mitigation efforts and share information with local and state officials; and
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020 and March 11, 2020, VDH detected the first two cases of COVID-19 in Vermont; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 01-20, Declaration of State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 and National Guard Call-Out (“Executive Order”), declaring a state of emergency for the State of Vermont in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2020, President Trump issued a national emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Governor, in consultation with VDH and the Vermont Agency of Human Services, has initiated aggressive and sustained efforts to protect property and public health, and to ensure public safety in this public health emergency including:
- • Directive 1 issued March 15, 2020, to all School Boards and Superintendents for Continuity of Education Planning which closed all schools to in-person education and required planning for education continuity;
- • Addendum 1 to the Executive Order issued March 16, 2020, which modified the Executive Order to prohibit all non-essential mass gatherings to the lesser of fifty (50) people or fifty percent (50%) of the occupancy of a facility at the same time for social, recreational or entertainment activities;
- • Addendum 2 to the Executive Order issued March 17, 2020 ordering restaurants, bars, or establishments that offer food or drink to suspend on-premises consumption of food or drink;
- • Directive 2 issued March 17, 2020 to all School Boards, Superintendents, and Child Care Programs to close childcare centers and provide for services to children of Essential Persons during the closure period in response to COVID-19;
- • Directive 3 issued March 18, 2020 directing Department of Motor Vehicle services to provide online, by mail or phone, and suspend all in-person transactions;
- • Directive 4 issued March 19, 2020 to the Department of Liquor and Lottery authorizing take-out, curbside pickup and delivery of beverage alcohol, including spirit-based drinks and malt and vinous product accompanying food orders for off-premise consumption;
- • Addendum 3 to the Executive Order issued March 20, 2020, requiring the postponement of all non-essential adult elective surgery and medical and surgical procedures;
- • Addendum 4 to the Executive Order issued March 21, 2020, which suspended the operation of close-contact businesses and further restricted the size of mass gatherings;
- • Addendum 5 to the Executive Order issued March 23, 2020, which ordered all businesses and non-profits to institute work from home procedures to the extent possible;
- • Addendum 6 to the Executive Order issued March 24, 2020, which ordered all Vermonters to stay home, stay safe with the exception of those performing critical services (“Stay Home/Stay Safe”);
- • Directive 5 issued March 25, 2020 clarifying schools for preK-12 students shall remain dismissed for in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and required schools to have continuity of learning plans for remote learning implemented on or before Monday, April 13, 2020;
- • Addendum 7 to the Executive Order issued March 30, 2020, which imposed quarantine restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont and clarified the closure of lodging operations;
- • Addendum 8 to the Executive Order issued April 3, 2020, which clarified the Governor’s direction to provide non-congregate sheltering in Vermont and extended certain deadlines relating to closures of DMV and bars and restaurants; and
- • Addendum 9 to the Executive Order issued April 10, 2020, which extended the Executive order through May 15 and made other directives and clarifications.
WHEREAS, modeling studies done for the State clearly show that, but for the mitigation measures taken to date, the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths in the State and the region would be having a much more devastating effect on Vermonters and would be threatening to overwhelm the capacity of the Vermont health care system; and
WHEREAS, as of April 17, 2020, the Governor began to undertake a phased approach set forth below, to reopen the economy, addressing the need to restore and strengthen the State’s overall social and economic wellbeing while including measures for the prevention of a resurgence of COVID-19 that would undermine or lose the important public health outcomes achieved to date:
- • Phase 1 set forth in Addendum 10 to the Executive Order issued April 17, 2020, which outlined principles and safety precautions for a phased restart of the Vermont economy, allowed small crews for outside construction or other outdoor trade jobs, and single-worker professional services and clarified guidance for retailers to allow additional operations using delivery and curbside service;
- • Phase 2 set forth in Addendum 11 to the Executive Order issued April 24, 2020, which allowed an expansion of small crews for construction and resumption of manufacturing and distribution operations with small crews, in-person shopping at outdoor retail operations and farmers markets and offered clarity for library operations;
- • Phase 3 set forth in Addendum 12 to the Executive order issued May 1. 2020, which required enhanced training for larger operations and mask use on public transit and in public transportation facilities, and allowed further phased expansion, up to full operations, of construction, manufacturing and distribution operations;
- • Phase 4 set forth in and Amendment to Addendum 3 to the executive order issued May 4, 2020, which allowed for the phased restart of elective medical and surgical procedures;
- • Phase 5 set forth in Addendum 13 to the Executive Order issued May 6, 2020, which expanded some outdoor recreation and allowed limited social interactions; and
- • Phase 6 set forth in an Amendment to Addendum 6 to the Executive Order (Stay Home/Stay Safe) issued May 13, 2020, which allowed for limited resumption of retail operations which were not deemed critical under Stay Home/Stay Safe; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has determined, in consultation with the Commissioner of VDH and DPS/VEM, based on the best science and data available, to extend the State of Emergency for the State of Vermont through Monday, June 15, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has further determined, in consultation with the Commissioner of VDH and DPS/VEM, based on the best science and data available, to further modify Addendum 6 to the Executive Order to expand the range of activities and travel Vermonters may enjoy with an understanding that VDH and CDC health and safety measures should be followed; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has determined to authorize lodging facilities to resume operations on a limited basis beginning May 22, 2020, subject to further action as needed to respond to continued COVID-19 response.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of Vermont by the Constitution of the State of Vermont, the emergency powers set forth in 20 V.S.A. §§ 8, 9 and 11 and other laws hereby declare the State of Emergency for the State of Vermont shall be extended through midnight on Monday, June 15, 2020.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED:
1. Except as set forth herein, the Executive Order and all Directives and Addenda, as amended, issued thereunder shall continue in full force and effect until midnight on June 15, 2020, at which time the Governor, in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management shall assess the emergency and determine whether to amend or extend the State of Emergency.
2. Be Smart/Stay Safe. Section 1 of Addendum 6 of the Executive Order (Stay Home/Stay Safe), is hereby amended and restated as follows: • For personal safety, medical care and care of others;
• For work, although all workers should continue to work remotely whenever possible;
• For shopping and services available at all businesses and non-profit and government entities determined to be critical and those which have been authorized to resume operations;
• To get fresh air and exercise by taking advantage of outdoor recreation and outdoor fitness activities that require low or no direct physical contact;
• For limited social interactions and gatherings of 10 or fewer, preferably in outdoor settings; and
• For in-state stays at available lodging, campground and marina facilities.
To preserve the public health and safety, to ensure the healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all, and to help protect those at the highest risk and vulnerability, Vermonters are encouraged to limit their exposure to disease outside their homes or places of residence as much as possible.
Vermonters should travel only as needed:
To keep disease from spreading, Vermonters should maintain physical distancing and protocols for hygiene recommended in guidance from CDC, VDH and other designated state agencies and departments. This means:
- • Always staying home and away from others if you are sick with COVID-19, have recently been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, or just don’t feel well;
- • Keeping a 6-foot distance from others when you meet people outside of your household;
- • Frequently washing your hands (hand sanitizer is acceptable when soap and water are not available);
- • Coughing and sneezing into your elbow (even if you are wearing a facial covering);
- • Wearing a facial covering over your nose and mouth when you are in close proximity to others from outside your household; and
- • Limiting travel to within Vermont to the extent possible and when you do travel, limit non-essential stops.
Older adults (age 65 and over), and people with underlying medical conditions, like heart and lung disease or diabetes, are more likely to develop severe illness. They
should continue to shelter in place, and Vermonters should do everything they can to help keep them safe.
3. General Public Mask Use. All Vermonters are encouraged to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth any time they are interacting with others from outside their households, including in congregate outdoor settings where it is not possible to maintain physical distancing. Masks are not recommended for strenuous outdoor activity, anyone under the age of 2, anyone with a medical condition that is complicated or irritated by a facial covering, or anyone with difficulty breathing. Masks are not required when eating in outdoor settings. Businesses and non-profit and government entities may require customers or clients to wear masks. The legislative body of each municipality may enact more strict local requirements regarding mask use than those set forth herein.
4. Lodging Operations. Addendum 6 and Addendum 7 to the Executive Order are hereby modified to allow the limited resumption of lodging operations, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, short term rentals, such as those made available through VRBO, Homeaway, AirBnb and other services, parks for recreational vehicles and campgrounds, all public and private camping facilities including those managed by the Vermont Department of Parks and Recreation, and marinas.
Lodging may be provided for the following purposes:
- a. Housing vulnerable populations (emergency shelter for homeless individuals) as arranged through the state;
- b. Providing accommodations for health care workers, other workers deemed necessary to support public health, public safety or critical infrastructure and workers entering the state for authorized work;
- c. Use of lodging properties as quarantine facilities as arranged by the state; and
- d. Lodging for Vermont residents and others who certify self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days prior to lodging overnight in Vermont.
On-line reservations may be resumed as of the date of this Addendum for stays beginning May 22, 2020. Lodging providers, and the online platforms that facilitate rentals and reservations, shall clearly post a prominent notice on their web platforms which advises potential guests of the health and safety requirements currently applicable to lodging and gatherings in Vermont.
The Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) shall issue mitigation requirements and procedures which require implementation of appropriate occupancy limits for stays and events and physical distancing, health and sanitation and training measures. The Secretary of ACCD, in consultation with the Commissioner of VDH, and with the approval of the Governor, may, from time-to-time, authorize additional limited, incremental, and phased resumption of lodging operations and update and modify the mitigation requirements and procedures regarding the resumption of lodging operations.
If the Commissioner of the VDH has determined that a COVID-19 outbreak has occurred and lodging operations cannot safely operate in a way that 1) limits the exposure of customers and staff to COVID-19 and 2) does not threaten to overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare resources, he is hereby authorized, with approval of the Governor, to notify and require any or all lodging operations to return to certain standards of operation.
5. For the sake of clarity, Addendum 2 to the Executive Order dated March 16, 2020, which prohibited on-premises consumption of food or drink, Addendum 4 to the Executive Order dated March 20, 2020, which suspended the operation of close contact businesses, and Addendum 5 to the Executive Order dated March 23, 2020, which required all businesses, and non-profit and government entities to implement telework procedures to the extent possible, shall remain in full force and effect. Addendum 6 to the Executive Order dated March 24, 2020 (Stay Home/Stay Safe) shall remain in effect except as modified by Addendum 10, Addendum 11, Addendum 12, Addendum 13, Amendment, this Addendum 14 and mitigation requirements and procedures for the limited, incremental and phased resumption of business, non-profit and government entity operations issued by the Secretary of ACCD with the approval of the Governor. Businesses and non-profit and government entities which have not been authorized to resume operations as of the date of this Executive Order shall be addressed at a later date.
This Addendum 14 shall take effect upon signing and shall continue in full force and effect until midnight on June 15, 2020, at which time the Governor, in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety shall assess the emergency and determine whether to amend or extend this Addendum.
By the Governor: Philip B. Scott Governor
_____________________________________
Brittney L. Wilson
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Executive Order No. 01-20 – Addendum 14
Dated: May 15, 2020
To view Addendum 14 (Be Smart, Stay Safe) online, visit https://governor.vermont.gov/content/addendum-14-executive-order-01-20.
To view ACCD’s memo for lodging safety guidelines and protocols, as well as additional resources, visit accd.vermont.gov.
For more information on:
- COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
- The Governor’s actions, visit governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
- The state’s modeling, visit https://dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.