Agency of Commerce and Community Development Governor Phil Scott announced Friday the reopening of indoor dining and an easing of travel restrictions. Effective June 8, 2020, interstate travel to and from New England and New York counties with 400 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per million is permitted without quarantine requirements.
Effective June 15, 2020 travelers may complete quarantine requirements in their home state before entering Vermont. Lodging operations may also increase occupancy limits to 50% or a total of 25 guests and staff, whichever is greater. Indoor dining will be permitted beginning June 8, 2020 with 25% occupancy limits along with social distancing and health and safety protocols.
The new quarantine requirements will go into effect on June 15:
Travelers may either: Complete a 14-day quarantine; or complete a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test – in their home state and enter Vermont without further quarantine restrictions if they drive directly from their home via their personal vehicle.
Travelers may either: Complete 14-day quarantine; or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test – in a Vermont lodging establishment regardless of destination origin or manner of travel (travelers must stay in their quarantine location for the duration of quarantine other than to travel to and from a test site).
With these updates, all guests will have to certify they are coming from a non-quarantine county or have completed the appropriate quarantine. They will also have to register with the Vermont Department of Health to receive Sara Alerts. More information on certification and alerts can be found at the ACCD website.
Please review the ACCD memo for full details including additional mandatory health and safety regulations.
Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham and Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Ted Brady will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, June 9th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm to discuss implementing and understanding this new lodging sector guidance and the quarantine changes. You can access the meeting via Microsoft Teams or by dialing in at 802-552-8456 and using Conference ID: 268 050 211.
ACCD will update the cross state travel map each week as to which counties are permitted for travel to and from without quarantine.
SBA Announces $10 Billion for CDFIs to Participate in PPP
The Small Business Administration has announced that it is providing $10 billion of round two funding for the Paycheck Protection Program to be lent exclusively by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These funds will help to ensure that the Paycheck Protection Program reaches all communities in need of relief during COVID-19.
Recovery Resource for Communities
The Local Support and Community Action Team, a committee of the Economic Mitigation & Recovery Task Force, is developing strategies to speed long-term community recovery. Their new website shares stand-out examples of best practices and other news in the Vermont community recovery. ACCD also offers the Resources for Communities page featuring municipal and community support services.
RFP for Vermont Buy Local Consumer Stimulus Plan
ACCD seeks innovative strategies, programs and products from companies to stimulate and incentivize local spending and support to Vermont businesses disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The full details on this Request for Proposals opportunity are available on the ACCD website.
Pick Your Own Guidance
Earlier this week the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets released new guidance for Pick-Your-Own operations around the state. The guidance is similar to other retail guidance that has been released with a few more specific points around customer spacing and operational changes that will be needed.
Business Impact
ACCD wants to hear from all Vermont businesses impacted by the response to the COVID-19 virus. Please share these impacts via the ACCD Business Impact Form, which will help us assess the full impact as we work toward solutions.
