Vermont
Small Business Association

Governor Phil Scott (R) has taken executive actions which do the following:

• Establishes a COVID-19 task force. The task force is charged with ensuring a coordinated statewide response, including communicating potential community mitigation measures to slow or minimize the spread of the virus if cases occur and accelerate in the state. The group is also working to ensure communication and continuity planning occurs in a coordinated manner across state government.
• Orders all businesses and not-for-profit entities in the state to put into place, to the maximum extent possible, telecommuting or work from home procedures.
• Announces the resumption of limited indoor seating at restaurants and bars and a data-driven approach to allow travel to and from designated areas without a 14-day quarantine requirement.
• Removes travel restrictions for ME, NH, MA, RI, CT and certain counties of NY. The order also clarifies that local municipalities may issue guidelines that are more strict than the guidance issued by state government regarding the operation of bars, catering facilities and restaurants.
• Allows gatherings of 25 or fewer people.
• Announces a $400 million economic relief and recovery package, using funds from the $1.25 billion the state received from the Federal CARES Act. The two-phase proposal was presented to the Vermont General Assembly for their action to support $310 million in immediate emergency relief to the most impacted sectors and businesses and then a second phase of $90 million in long-term recovery investments.

The following rules have been issued:

• The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has issued guidelines for personal services businesses that went into effect on May 29. Salons and barbershops may reopen on this date pursuant to guidelines that include but are not limited to capping occupancy at 25%; implementing social distancing; maintaining a log of customers.
• ACCD published a Restart Vermont resources webpage and Governor Scott’s Work Smart and Stay Safe initiative lays out how businesses can return to work. This resource is designed to be a one-stop portal of tools needed to comply with reopening guidelines.
• Effective June 8, ACCD removed restrictions on Vermonters to travel outside the state across New England and New York without quarantining. Similarly, residents of other states who live in counties across New England and New York that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont may enter the state for leisure travel without quarantining. Those participating in essential work or currently authorized work that requires an overnight stay may utilize the state’s lodging, camping and short-term rental properties if the individual self-certifies upon arrival. People from high-risk areas still must complete the 14-day quarantine.
• ACCD’s guidance allows for restaurants to allow for indoor dining service effective June 8 at 25% capacity. Restaurants must implement social distancing measures and disinfection measures.
• Effective June 7, guideline were issued for overnight summer camps to resume June 7. Libraries, galleries, museums, theaters, and other indoor arts may reopen June 1 under the new guidelines.
• Effective June 1, ACCD issues guidance to allow for close contact businesses including gyms, salons, tattoo parlors, indoor recreational facilities; and business that require home visits to resume business activities with appropriate health and safety measures in place. Additionally, libraries, galleries, museums, theaters, and other indoor arts were included in this re-opening measure.