By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Monday he had reduced the size of public gatherings allowed in the state to 50, or 50% of an establishment’s capacity as part of a further effort to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.
The move to reduce the size of allowable gatherings from 250 came a day after Scott ordered that the state’s pre-k-12 schools be closed no later than Tuesday. On Friday, when Scott declared an emergency to cope with the virus, he had said schools could stay open.
“It’s important for Vermonters to know that additional measures are inevitable,” Scott said during a Monday briefing in Montpelier.
During the briefing, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the number of cases in Vermont is continuing to increase and there is now evidence the virus is being spread by person-to-person contact rather than just through known sources of transmission such as foreign travel or contact with a sick individual.
“Even these small numbers indicate that community (transmission) is occurring,” Levine said.
For most people, the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, results in only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.
EDUCATION
Current plans call for keeping Vermont schools closed through April 6, although that date could change depending on the circumstances.
State officials are working to limit the challenges posed by school closures and balance the needs of the students and the hardships it could pose to parents or other caregivers, but Levine said the state is at “precisely the time” when school closure has been shown to be an effective public health strategy.
“We are painfully aware of the disruption and social isolation that will result from this,” Levine said. “These are extremely difficult times for everyone and they will not soon be over.”
BARS, RESTAURANTS IN BURLINGTON
The mayor of Vermont’s largest city on Monday ordered that all Burlington bars close and in-person restaurants cease operations for 24 hours starting on Tuesday morning, St. Patrick’s Day, and said the closings could last longer. Restaurants can still offer take-out and delivery. Mayor Miro Weinberger also declared a state of emergency in Burlington and said the city will close or restrict access to all city buildings and curtail many city services starting Wednesday. “Our expectation is that these closings and curtailments will be in effect until at least April 6 and possibly longer,” he said.
STATE POLICE RESPONSE
The Vermont State Police has modified its procedures to cope with the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Police barracks are staffed and troopers will respond to calls, but in some cases, the agency will change the way it handles those calls.
Troopers will physically respond to major case investigations such as homicide, and to calls regarding crimes in progress, motor vehicle crashes with injuries, missing persons cases and domestic assault.
In other cases, such as minor motor vehicles crashes, vandalisms and thefts, the state police may take reports from the public over the phone.
SKI AREAS
The Vermont Ski Areas Association says that all of the state’s ski areas have closed for the season or shut down operations, either indefinitely or for a period of time, to reassess their operating plans.
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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