As prime-time backpacking season approaches, the Green Mountain National Forest is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic by restricting overnight camping at designated campgrounds and shelters, in addition to closing pit toilets along the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail segments.  The majority of the National Forest remains open. After Secretary of Natural Resources Julie Moore announced,…

Anyone with even mild symptoms is encouraged to contact a health care provider, to get tested WHITE RIVER JCT—Vermont health officials announced three pop-up testing sites will open this week for Covid-19 specimen collection, including one locally at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Jct. Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Over…

Child care centers and day camps can reopen, overnight camps in question Staff report Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday, May 8, that child care centers can reopen June 1 and summer day camps will be able to open this summer, provided they can follow specified safety guidelines. State officials acknowledged opening child care programs will…

Summer day camps will also be able to operate this summer By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Child care centers can begin to reopen on June 1 and summer day camps will be able to operate this summer, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday, May 8. The state will put out safety guidance for both child care facilities and day…

Golf courses, parks, trail networks can open along with other low or no direct physical contact operations; out-of-state visitors are still encouraged to stay home (or come up and stay long-term) On Wednesday, May 6, Governor Phil Scott announced that outdoor recreation and limited social interactions may resume under strict health and safety precautions, as…

Last week, the Department of Labor reminded unemployed Vermonters that they must return to work if called back by their employer. While exceptions do exist for employees, such as those who have been exposed to Covid-19 or individuals who must care for a family member, those who refuse to return to suitable work may risk…

Labor Dept provides first round of PUA payments to 8,500 Vermonters The Vermont Department of Labor announced April 29 that it has provided more than $24 million in direct deposit payments to Vermonters through the newly created Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The program provides benefits to those previously not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits,…

RUTLAND—Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) announced Tuesday, May 5, that it has received authorization to offer an emergency loan program through its Revolving Loan Fund to assist businesses that are impacted by Covid-19. USDA Rural Development has authorized REDC to use $150,000 from its Revolving Loan Fund for the Covid-19 emergency loan program. Businesses and…

RUTLAND – ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, in Rutland, is offering Covid-19 testing for both active infections and antibodies seven days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointments are needed, but patients are encouraged to reserve a time at ccmdcenters.com/locations/rutland-vt. Both tests are covered by most major insurances: however, patients are recommend to reach out to their…

On Friday, May 1, Governor Phil Scott announced a third incremental, evidence-based step forward to put Vermonters back to work. If able to comply with outlined safety measures, the governor’s latest order allows for the following operations: Crews of 10 or fewer employees per location/job to perform outdoor work and construction work in unoccupied job sites. (Effective…

Relief loans are an awkward fit for the industry By Polly Mikula and Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger “It’s all speculation, no one really knows what to expect or plan for,” said Phil Black, co-owner of the Lookout Tavern in Killington. Chris Karr, owner of multiple restaurants and businesses in Killington including the Foundry, Jax, Mad Hatter Scoops,…

Plan calls for an increase from 2,000-7,500 tests per day in Vermont Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration on April 29 announced the state is significantly increasing and strengthening its testing and contact tracing programs in order to quickly identify, contain and suppress outbreaks of Covid-19. In mid-April, the governor began taking steps…

Reopening complicated by high Covid-19 cases nearby By Polly Mikula Vermont appears to be unique in its low Covid-19 infection rate, availability of testing and measured approach to reopening. In fact, it may be among the only states to satisfy the national guidelines for reopening: 1) A downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses and confirmed cases…

Governor Phil Scott is calling all Vermonters into service with the launch of a new website allowing people to sign up for volunteer assistance to support the state’s response to Covid-19: vermont.gov/volunteer. The website directs those with medical and healthcare skills (nurses, pharmacist, EMS, physician assistants, veterinarians, mental health workers, etc.) to the Medical Reserve…

By M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM Vt Veterinary Association The coronavirus pandemic has left many worried about the safety of their pets and whether or not the virus can be transmitted to/from their pets. This is especially true given the recent news that the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, has been confirmed in…