Great news, Vermonters! Gov. Phil Scott says he might speed up his reopening timeline given how quickly the state’s population is getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.
WTEN/10 News Albany reports that Governor Scott, at Tuesday s COVID-19 briefing, mentioned that the Vermont Forward Plan could be speeding up due to the state s strong vaccination rates.
Governor Scott said Vermont ranks first in the United States when it comes to the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose of the vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that number is now at 61.9%.
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DUMMERSTON â The Lydia Taft Pratt Library will reopen to the public for in-library browsing today, and will continue to be open on Saturdays. The decision came from the library Board of Trustees at their April 27 meeting.
âOur library never stopped serving our community, but the pandemic has shifted the way weâve all done lots of things,â said Library Director Dena Marger. âWe have offered and will continue to offer curbside pick-up service, interlibrary loan services, online resources and telephone reference help. But, as of (today), weâll be able to see everyoneâs (masked) faces again! Weâve missed our community!â
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 12:38pm tim
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular weekly unemployment claims continue to grow to their highest levels this year and remain at a very high level, as claimants were required to refile based on their annual eligibility. The Vermont Department of Labor has also reverted to call-in only for new claims, as the online system has been barraged by large numbers of fraudulent filings.
In addition, Commissioner Michael Harrington is urging the Legislature to change the law regarding how employers are charged to meet UI Trust Fund obligations (see his letter below).
The Vermont UI Trust Fund was well-stocked with over $500 million before the pandemic and is still flush with over $200 million. Despite the Stay Home order from a year ago and layoffs at their highest levels since the Great Depression because of the pandemic, current law would require a steep increase in employer charges because of those pandemic-related layoffs. At current l
Mask Guidance Update
Governor Phil Scott on Friday announced a change in the state’s mask mandate policy. Effective May 1st, when you are outdoors, masks are only required when you are in a crowd or with multiple other households where you can’t maintain a 6-foot distance. This change in guidance reflects changes made by the CDC this week to mask wearing. Find full prevention information at the Health Department website.
Vermont Forward Step Two
On May 1st, Vermont entered Step Two of the Vermont Forward Plan, moving all sectors to Universal Guidance and increasing gathering and event sizes. This move followed the timeline of Vermont vaccination rates which have remained on pace over the last month. Visit the Vermont Forward Plan for full details on the move to Step Two.
The Mountain Times
Vermont eases outdoor mask requirements, moves to Step 2 of Vermont Forward Plan
Governor Phil Scott announced April 30 that as of May 1, masks will only be required outdoors in situations where a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said this change is based on science that shows the risk of transmission when outdoors is very small.
“This is why, now when you’re outdoors, masks will only be required when you’re in a crowd or with multiple households, where you can’t keep a 6-foot distance from others,” Dr. Levine said. “This is regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not.”