NH announces $595M in relief money; VT stay-home order relaxed

By Kathy Mccormack and Lisa Rathke
Associated Press
Here are the latest developments pertaining to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic from around New England:

New Hampshire

More money will be available for New Hampshire’s small businesses and nonprofits in federal coronavirus relief funds than recommended by a legislative advisory board, with a total amount of $595 million going to wide-ranging needs in the state, Gov. Chris Sununu said Friday.

The money will come from New Hampshire’s $1.25 billion in relief aid received last month. About $255 million has already been spent. After the latest amount is distributed, about $400 million would be left to use by the rest of the year.

The legislative board of the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery had recommended $100 million for small and medium-size businesses, particularly those that did not receive federal loans to cover payroll during the pandemic. Nonprofit organizations would get $30 million. Sununu upped the amounts to $400 million for businesses, and $60 million for nonprofits. He said the initial plans were to spread out the money over more time, but the decision was made to front load it.

“The apex of need is now,” he said.

Businesses can fill out pre-grant applications now through May 29 online at revenue.nh.gov or goferr.nh.gov. Those that are approved would have to fill out a second application to get final approval.

An additional $50 million was granted to an emergency Health Care Relief Fund, with $30 million being set aside for long-term health care facilities, and $20 million going to hospitals and health care groups. The board had proposed $100 million for hospitals. Sununu noted that hospitals are receiving nearly $500 million in separate federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Money provided for higher education, child care, the New Hampshire Food Bank and agriculture was along the lines of what was proposed.

Legislature returns: New Hampshire’s lawmakers say they’re returning for legislative sessions in June, but meeting outside of their respective chambers at the Statehouse — the first time since the Civil War.

Instead of meeting at Representatives Hall, the 400-member House — one of the largest legislative bodies in the English-speaking world — will meet at the Whittemore Center at the University of New Hampshire in Durham on June 11. The arena is home to the UNH Wildcats Hockey and is used for other large events.

“We need a place that is large enough to allow us to socially distance while not being so large as to create its own logistical problems,” Speaker of the House Stephen Shurtleff said in an announcement Friday.

Shurtleff added, “We understand for many of you that coming to a House session in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic can be frightening.”

He said each member will have a temperature check prior to entering the arena. Also, per UNH guidelines, each member will be given an N-95 respirator mask. Members will have to wear them inside, Shurtleff said.

The 24-member Senate will meet in Representatives Hall. Lawmakers are working on a date.

The Legislature suspended activities in mid-March, when state emergency orders went into effect regarding the coronavirus.

Separately, as some New Hampshire communities consider proposals on face coverings in public during the pandemic, members of the Democrat-controlled House are urging Republican Gov. Chris Sununu to issue a temporary order requiring them. They sent him a letter Thursday signed by 178 House Democrats.

Sununu’s spokesman responded: “The governor recommends wearing a mask in scenarios where social distancing cannot be practiced, like when he goes grocery shopping, but does not believe a mandate is needed at this time.”

The numbers: As of Friday, 3,464 people had tested positive for the virus, an increase of 88. Eight new deaths were announced, for a total of 159. There was one new outbreak at a long-term care facility, the Villa Crest Nursing Home and Retirement Center in Manchester.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

Vermont

Gov. Phil Scott relaxed his order for Vermonters to stay home and announced Friday that lodging and campgrounds may open May 22 if they abide by safety guidelines, cleaning requirements and limit the number of people allowed in.

At the same time, the Republican governor extended a state of emergency until June 15 to continue to fight the spread — albeit at one of the slowest rates in the country — of the coronavirus pandemic in Vermont.

“Because of the success we’ve had, we’re now asking Vermonters to be smart and stay safe,” he said at a news briefing, adding that “staying close to home and limiting the number of people you’re in contact with is still really important.”

People over age 65 and with chronic conditions should still remain at home as much as possible, he said.

The order encourages face masks in public but doesn’t require them, Scott said. Municipalities may implement stricter requirements of their own, he said.

Vermont has the lowest average three-day growth rate of coronavirus cases in the country, officials said.

“While this has been difficult for all of us, I just want to say how proud I am to serve as your governor, seeing Vermonters step up time and time again,” he said. “From the beginning, you’ve followed our guidance, stayed home to stop the spread and kept our health care system from being overwhelmed. Your efforts have saved hundreds and hundreds of lives,” he said.

Starting May 22, lodging operations, short-term rentals, campgrounds and marinas may accept overnight reservations from people who have met a 14-day quarantine requirement, said commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurlee.

Out-of-state visitors and Vermonters must fill out a health questionnaire and certification confirming they quarantined properly and have no symptoms of COVID-19, she said.

If Vermont continues to see a low rate, Scott said, he anticipates the reopening of close-contact businesses like hair salons; indoor professional services, such as dentists; and outdoor dining in restaurants sometime between now and June 1, he said. And the size limit of gatherings would rise from 10 to 25.

School spending: Scott has proposed that school budgets be voted on again across the state so taxpayers can make decisions knowing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on revenues.

The idea was presented in an online brainstorming session with lawmakers on Thursday, Scott said.

The budget gap in education is about $170 million, and raising taxes should be a last resort, he said.

“These are going to be difficult decisions to make as we move forward, but we’re going to have to look at the spending side,” Scott said. “We have to.”

But revoting could create more chaos than stabilization, said Democratic Rep. Kate Webb, of Shelburne, chair of the House Education Committee, according to Vermont Public Radio.

Gym lawsuit: A gym in Rutland was told to close Friday for a second time in recent weeks after the attorney general sued it for staying open in violation of state rules and a judge hours later granted a temporary order barring it from operating.

Club Fitness of Vermont owner Sean Manovill temporarily stopped operating the gym after the attorney general sent a cease-and-desist letter May 5, but he reopened the gym Friday, the attorney general’s office said.

An officer saw people exercising without masks and not staying 6 feet apart, the office said. He also did not see any hand-sanitizing stations or signs advising people to wear masks, to maintain social distance or to clean equipment, the office said.

“The vast majority of Vermonters have done the right thing. It’s not fair to them or other businesses to let Mr. Manovill openly violate the order,” Attorney General T.J. Donovan said in a written statement.

Manovill said that he would disprove the allegations. He has a 4,000-square-foot gym that never has more than seven to 10 people in it, he said, arguing that people need a healthy escape.

“I’m really doing this for the mental health crisis that’s going on through the pandemic,” he said.

If liquor stores can be open, he argued, he should be able to open, too.

“This is big government in Vermont trying to put small business out of business,” he said.

The numbers: The Vermont Health Department reported one more case of the coronavirus on Friday for a total of 933 cases. The state has not reported a death from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in more than a week. A total of 53 people have died.

Maine

The Maine Department of Education secured internet access and devices for all of the more than 20,000 students who needed them to continue their learning from home, Gov. Janet Mills and Education Commissioner Pender Makin announced Friday.

The effort was launched to help students who didn’t have the tools to participate in online learning after the suspension of classroom-based instruction because of the pandemic.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that Maine’s teachers, and all students, have the tools they need to stay connected during these unprecedented times,” Mills said in a statement.

The Department of Education obtained nearly 14,500 service contracts through three different service providers, nearly all of which were for WiFi-enabled Samsung Galaxy tablets that can be used as learning tools and hotspots. Another 7,450 Chromebooks were obtained for those who already had internet access but lacked a device, the department said.

It was a combined effort of the Department of Education, Department of Administrative and Financial Services, ConnectME, and business and philanthropic entities.

Makin said the pandemic drew attention to “extreme inequities” during the educational disruption. “The emergency provision of connectivity to all students allows for educational continuity,” she said.

The numbers: Another 38 people tested positive for the new coronavirus but there were no deaths in the previous 24 hours, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported Friday.

The total number of deaths stood at 69, and total confirmed cases increased to 1,603, officials said.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.