Administration outlines principles and safety precautions, based on data and scientific models • New order allows small crews (1-2 people) for outside construction or other outdoor trade jobs, and single-worker professional services to restart April 20 • Clarifies guidance for retailers to allow additional operations using delivery and curbside service • Allows Farmers Markets to…

Order permits lodging reservations to begin June 15 On Friday, April 10, Governor Phil Scott extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the expiration date of all corresponding orders and directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April…

By Virginia Dean RUTLAND — Although telemedicine has been practiced since the 1990s, it is needed and being used now more than ever, given the recent and daily difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic. “Social distancing guidelines make it harder to do many things, including going to doctor’s appointments,” said Peg Bolgioni, marketing and public relations…

WOODSTOCK—Anticipating a steep rise in unemployment and a potential surge in COVID-19 cases in the next few weeks, coupled with government relief that may be slow to arrive, a group of Woodstock-area citizens has formed the Woodstock Area Relief Fund: COVID-19 (WARF). The group’s mission is to provide financial assistance to Woodstock-area individuals and families…

1,000 signs to highlight how to combat virus, stay safe RUTLAND—I Love Rutland is about to show some love in a new way, producing 1,000 lawn signs to remind county residents to stay vigilant, stay safe, and help each other in the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19. The double-sided signs will feature safety…

By Katy Savage If you see someone wearing a fabric facemask in the Killington area, it was likely made by Jane Johnson. Johnson has made 70 facemasks so far for employees at Killington Market, Sushi Yoshi, Sunup Bakery, iPie Pizzaria, the Killington town office, Mountain Merchant and BJ’s Wholesale Club. She’s also given masks to…

The Vermont Department of Labor has implemented an alphabetized structure for the intake of weekly claims and inquiries based on the first letter of their last name.  The structure took effect on Sunday, April 12. The structure is: Sunday (everyone), Monday (A-E), Tuesday (F-L), Wednesday (M-R), Thursday (S-Z), and Friday (Everyone) Those with questions about…

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By Art Woolf The state processed a record 16,474 claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending April 4, according to the weekly report, Thursday, April 9. The previous record was set two weeks prior when the state processed 14,700 applications. In a normal week, about 500 people apply. Since the economic shutdown began in mid-March,…

Legislation leads to unintended consequences By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger As he ponders a future where online orders are dropping and the opening of a new store in Connecticut has been delayed, Danforth Pewter CEO Bram Kleppner is also wrestling with another unexpected problem: Workers who leave their posts are eligible for more than $1,100 a week—…

By Polly Mikula and Erin Petenko/VTDigger The latest update to the state’s model of Covid-19 cases shows that the rate of new cases  continues to decline. At a press conference Friday, April 10, Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, said the slowdown indicates Vermont will most likely have enough hospital beds, intensive care beds…

Action hopes to expand the pool of care providers available during COVID-19 emergency Health care professionals can now quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to a news release April 13. Gov. Phil Scott signed Act 91 on March 31, granting emergency authority to expedite temporary licensure for…

By Kit Norton/VTDigger Days after dropping out of the presidential race, Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in a campaign livestream discussion between the two men, Monday, April 13. “I’m asking every Democrat, I’m asking every independent, I’m asking a lot of Republicans to come together in this campaign to support your candidacy,…

By Sen. Alison Clarkson The Legislature’s priority focus during this unusual time is providing relief to Vermonters who face serious life challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. As we are all discovering, a surprising number of the needs of everyday life are affected by having to “stay safe, stay home.”  From reducing people’s…

By Rep. Jim Harrison This past Friday, April 10, Governor Scott extended Vermont’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order until May 15. The extension was not a surprise given that he had been messaging for a week that an extension was likely. And when asked about returning activity to “normal,” he indicated it would be gradual,…