Coronavirus Vermont

Vermont Governor Phil Scott welcomed a special guest for part of his regular COVID briefing on Tuesday.  White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci joined by video link to praise the state’s low positivity rate and answer questions.

Vermont has started offering $30 to Vermonters to spend at local businesses to help residents and businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

Today was the first day of school for elementary and high school students across Vermont. During his regular COVID-19 briefing today, Gov. Phil Scott discussed the schools’ preparation for pandemic-era classes.

At Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s COVID-19 briefing today, the key topics were the state’s plan to create an education hub program and a new coronavirus outbreak that the health department is investigating.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott held his latest COVID-19 update Friday morning. Agency heads provided updates on several issues including a possible cluster of the coronavirus.

Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott has proposed using $130 million more in federal coronavirus relief funding to help businesses and others recover from the pandemic.

Governor Phil Scott is extending Vermont’s state of emergency for another month in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican is also giving localities, especially in college towns, powers to set COVID-19 restrictions.

The Vermont Health Department says a June outbreak of COVID-19 in Winooski and Burlington is over. Vermont’s Health Commissioner says help from immigrant and New American advocacy organizations was key to containing the virus.

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch held a virtual meeting with municipal leaders across the state this week to discuss concerns about the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and what actions Congress should take to help.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott delivered his latest update on the state’s progress during the pandemic today. Funding for a hazard pay program was announced and officials were questioned about the state’s contract with an out of state prison where Vermont inmates tested positive for COVID-19.

Vermont is reporting its first new death from the coronavirus in 43 days.

During Vermont’s regular COVID-19 update today, Governor Phil Scott announced that he will delay the opening of schools to September 8th so that school districts have time to implement fall plans.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott has announced that all people will be required to wear masks or cloth face coverings in public places in the state.

During his regular pandemic update on Tuesday, Vermont Governor Phil Scott indicated he may change his mind regarding a state mask mandate.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says the state's schools should be able to reopen safely this fall with at least part-time, in-person, learning, but school will not be the way it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics show that the average age of people becoming infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 is declining in Vermont.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott and administration officials today announced a series of housing assistance programs to help landlords, renters and low-income homeowners who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many couples during the pandemic, “I do” has become “let’s wait.” Businesses associated with Vermont’s wedding industry have taken a substantial loss in bookings and finances due to the coronavirus. Representative Peter Welch held an e-meeting with dozens of professionals to discuss the challenges they face and update them on the Congressional response.

Vermont officials have announced the guidelines that colleges and universities must follow this fall to allow students back on campus for in-person classroom learning.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger says four city bars have been issued warnings for not following rules intended to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Vermont Legislature adjourned late last Friday night until August. This week, the House Speaker and finance committee chairs discussed how federal COVID-19 recovery funds have been appropriated and what work remains.

The Vermont Legislature has adjourned the first of two 2020 legislative sessions. As WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports, lawmakers will return to Montpelier in August.

In March, Vermont Governor Phil Scott dismissed all in-person pre-K through grade 12 classes for the remainder of the academic year.  On June 10th he announced that data and tracking of the coronavirus in the state indicated it is safe to reopen in person teaching in the fall. The Vermont-NEA held a virtual town hall this week with Vermont’s sole Congressman and the state Senate President to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the state’s schools and teachers.