Large retailers stop in-person sales of nonessential items in Vermont

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
State officials in Vermont are ordering large retailers that sell critical items such as food and prescription drugs to stop the in-person sale of nonessential products.

Whenever possible, stores such as Walmart, Target and Costco must stop the sale of nonessential items and require online or telephone ordering, delivery and curbside pickup.

“Large ‘big box’ retailers generate significant shopping traffic by virtue of their size and the variety of goods offered in a single location,” Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lindsay Kurrle said on Tuesday. “This volume of shopping traffic significantly increases the risk of further spread of this dangerous virus to Vermonters and the viability of Vermont’s health care system.”

The items that cannot be sold in person include clothing, consumer electronics, books, furniture and sporting equipment.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Gov. Phil Scott is urging Vermonters to volunteer to help communities across the state affected by COVID-19. People willing to volunteer in areas such as child care, grocery workers or medical professionals can sign up at a state website.

“I am asking every Vermonter to dig deep and find a way to give more in this incredibly challenging time,” Scott said in a statement distributed Tuesday evening. “As we prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases expected in the coming weeks, it will require each and every one of us to do our part to ease the burden on our health care system, the struggles of those less fortunate, and, ultimately, to save the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

THE NUMBERS

As of Tuesday, Vermont had reported nearly 300 positive cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths.

There were 21 people hospitalized across Vermont for treatment of COVID-19 and an additional 52 patients were hospitalized “under investigation for COVID-19.”