For information about getting tested, visit the Vermont Department of Health website. (VT DOH)
ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Essential Service Designations:
The State has identified various critical services and functions within the health care, law enforcement, infrastructure, construction and manufacturing, lodging andnews media sectors. It has deemed essential various retail operations including grocery stores, banks and hardware stores. For a detailed list, see here. (March 24)
Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:
Starting Wednesday October 28, Vermont employers will be able to apply for hazard pay on behalf of their employees from 26 different business categories, including grocery stores, pharmacies and childcare providers. (October 23)
Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Labor announced changes to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program that will reduce employers’ UI tax rates and increase the maximum weekly benefit amount for UI claimants. (June 23)
Vermont released reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
The Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Agency (VOSHA) released online training materials for employees and employers which can be found here.
Governor Scott signed an Executive Order requiring operating businesses to: implement physical distancing, health, and sanitation measures; require employees to wear face masks; and for employers to provide – and for employees to complete – training on health and safety requirements. (April 24)
Economic Stimulus & Relief:
The Vermont Department of Finance & Management published two interactive dashboards that show how the state’s $1.25 billion in COVID-19 relief funds were spent. The dashboards can be found here.
The Vermont Public Utility Commission announced it would extend its moratorium onnatural gas, electric and traditional landline telephone service through May 31. (March 30)
Governor Scott announced an expansion of the state’s Economic Recovery Grants, utilizing an additional $76 million in CARES Act funding. (October 20)
Governor Scott proposed an additional $133 million in economic relief and recovery. (August 21)
Governor Scott announced $8 million in available grant funding to assist Vermonters with overdue utility bills. (August 18)
Governor Scott announced the launch of a new grant program to help mitigate operational expenses and losses for childcare providers impacted by COVID-19. (August 7)
Governor Scott signed a bill that codified the current status of suspending pending and new eviction and foreclosure actions for the duration of the emergency period. (May 14)
Business Support & Resources:
The Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development released COVID-19 resources for businesses, including sector guidance, financial assistance, and employment information. Details can be found here.
Governor Scott, the Agency of Commerce & Community Development, and the Department of Economic Development announced the Economic Recovery Bridge Program, which is expected to deliver $30 million in financial relief to businesses that have not received state and federal funding due to eligibility constraints or could show a continued loss of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (June 3)
Governor Scott and the Department of Motor Vehicles announced the launch of a new online system for temporary registrations and license plates for private vehicle sales. (September 8)
Governor Scott announced an increase to maximum grant award for Economic Recovery Grants for Vermont businesses. (August 18)
Governor Scott announced expanded eligibility for Economic Recovery Grants for Vermont businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. (August 3)
Governor Scott announced that public safety, public health, health care, and human services employers whose employees worked on the front lines during COVID-19 could apply for hazard pay grant funds for their employees beginning August 4. (August 3)
Governor Scott and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announced $25 million in relief grants for dairy producers and processors who had experienced income loss, additional expenses, and market disruption as a result of COVID-19. (July 14)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS
Reopening:
Governor Scott announced the state would move to Step 4 of the Vermont Forward Plan. (May 22)
Vermont opened COVID-19 vaccinations up to those between the ages of 12 and 15. (May 13)
Vermont residents are no longer required to wear masks when in outdoor public spaces, provided sustained or prolonged close contact with individuals from outside their household can be avoided. (May 1)
Vermont residents 30 years of age or older are now eligible to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. (April 12)
Governor Scott announced a three-month reopening plan with the goal of returning the state to pre-COVID status by July 4. (April 6)
All Vermont residents 40 years of age or older are eligible to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. (April 5)
Vermont residents 16 years of age and older who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color — along with members of their household — will be able to register for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 1. (March 30)
On March 25, registration for vaccination appointments will open to those 60 years of age and older with no health conditions. All those 16 years of age and older will be able to receive the vaccine on April 19. (March 19)
Vermont announced it would permit two non-vaccinated households to gather at one time. (March 12)
Beginning March 15, Vermont residents 16 to 54 years of age with underlying health conditions will be able to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. (March 8)
Vermonters 55 years of age or older will be able to register for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 8. (March 3)
Governor Scott announced that people who are fully vaccinated may travel to Vermont and return from out of state travel without quarantine restrictions. (February 23)
On March 1, residents 65 years of age and older will be able to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination. (February 23)
Governor Scott extended the state’s COVID-19 State of Emergency until March 15. (February 17)
The Vermont Department of Health set up a clinic in Winooski to vaccinate refugees and immigrants. (February 8)
Vermont launched Phase 2 of vaccine distribution on January 25, allowing residents 75 and older to register for vaccines. (January 25)
The Town of Stamford voted to overturn Governor Scott’s COVID-19 emergency orders. (January 2)
Governor Scott extended Vermont’s State of Emergency until January 15. (December 15)
The first 1,950 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Vermont. (December 14)
Governor Scott issued updated guidance on COVID-19 restrictions, allowing Vermont residents to be outside with one non-household member. (November 23)
Governor Scott declared a temporary ban on multi-family gatherings in Vermont. He also issued an order that temporarily closed bars and clubs, and canceled recreational sports leagues. (November 13)
Governor Scott announced updates to bar seating guidance and lifted lodging capacity restrictions. (September 18)
Governor Scott announced the state would distribute up to 300,000 cloth face coverings to the public, emergency responders, and select agencies throughout the month of August. (August 13)
Governor Scott signed an order requiring all Vermonters to wear masks or cloth facial coverings any time they were unable to maintain a distance of at least six feet. (July 24)
SCHOOL PLANNING
K-12:
The Vermont Agency of Education announced it is working to provide PPE kits for school nurses and coordinators statewide. (August 26)
Governor Scott signed an executive order that sets September 8 as the universal reopening date for Vermont schools. (July 31)
Governor Scott announced that Vermont K-12 schools will implement a hybrid model of remote and in-person learning for fall classes. (July 20)
Vermont’s Agency of Education released reopening guidelines for Vermont schools in Fall 2020. Details can be found here. (June 17)
State Higher Education:
A list of Vermont universities and colleges planning to reopen in the fall can be found here.
Vermont State College System’sInterim Chancellor announced all state colleges will reopen in the Fall. (May 5)
Produced by Marathon Strategies, an independent PR firm that delivers intelligent communications and research solutions. For information, email Phil Singer at [email protected]
