MARSHFIELD, Vt. (AP) — Retail stores will be allowed to open next week in Vermont at 25% capacity and must abide by health and safety requirements as the state takes another step to gradually reopen the coronavirus-stricken economy, Gov. Phil Scott announced Monday.
Vermont has the third-slowest rate of case growth in the country and reported no positive tests or deaths from the virus that causes COVID-19 from Sunday, Scott said. The state still needs to remain vigilante because of the outbreaks in nearby states, he said.
“Even as we continue to reopen, I urge Vermonters not to let up on physical distancing, washing your hands and staying home when ill, limiting travel and wearing masks around others,” he said.
He said he’s asked the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to work with the departments of Health and Public Safety to create and release guidance this week for the gradual reopening of retail on May 18.
All retail employees must wear facial coverings and everyone must maintain 6 feet between them, he said. Customers are also encouraged to wear face coverings, he said.
“While I know many are eager to shop for clothing and other supplies, waiting a week gives these businesses time to develop their safety plans, do their training, modify their stores and work with the agency to understand all the steps needed to reopen and operate safely,” he said,
Manufacturing, construction and distribution businesses were allowed to return to full capacity this week.
The decisions are driven by data, science and the recommendations of experts, he said.
“Instead of taking two steps forward and one step back, we chose to take one and half steps forward without having to retreat,” he said.
In other coronavirus-related developments around Vermont:
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SCHOOL CASES
A small outbreak of the coronavirus has been reported at the Vermont School for Girls in Bennington, a residential treatment service for girls with special needs.
A small number of people at the school tested positive for the virus, said Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, who did not say how many. All the residents and staff were tested at the end of last week and the weekend, he said.
The school said Monday that it had no immediate comment.
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TESTING
The state is now able to do 1,000 coronavirus tests a day and is encouraging people with even mild symptoms to call their health care provider to get a referral to get tested, Levine said. The Health Department is also encouraging health care providers to refer their patients with mild symptoms, including children, for testing, he said.
“Without a vaccine, testing is the keys to managing the virus over the long term, and getting life back to normal,” Scott said.
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THE NUMBERS
The state health department reported no new coronavirus cases or deaths on Monday. Nearly 930 people in Vermont have tested positive for the virus and 53 people have died.
Symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, have expanded from fever, cough and shortness of breath to include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell, Levine said.
“We expect there are many more people who are infected than the 900 plus who have tested positive to date,” he said.
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