COVID-19 Information and Resources from ACCD

Thank you card to front line workers dealing with COVID-19
Credit: Pomerleau Real Estate

COVID-19 Guidance for Vermont Businesses

UPDATED – 6/30/20

UPDATES: New Executive Orders and Addenda to Order 01-20

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If you have questions about whether your business meet the definition of “critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security” as per Governor Scott’s Executive Order, please review our Stay Home, Stay Safe FAQs and Sector Specific Guidance.

Stay Home Stay Safe FAQs      Sector Guidance      Request Additional Guidance

For public health information, visit: healthvermont.gov/covid19

Employees with COVID-19 related concerns in the workplace can contact the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA). Employees can submit a safety complaint form on VOSHA’s website, or call toll free at 1-800-287-2765.

To stay informed when new information becomes available, please sign-up for our COVID-19 Economic and Community Response Newsletter.

Department of Labor Launches New Unemployment Program

The new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits to individuals who have exhausted their regular state unemployment insurance claim. Individuals will also receive Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), an additional $600 to their weekly benefits through the week ending July 25, 2020.

Restart Plan Templates Available

A reminder that restart plan templates are now available for construction; golf courses; gyms and fitness centers; manufacturing, distribution and warehousing; real estate sales and leasing; restaurants; and retail establishments. These plans can help businesses establish best practices as they reopen and train employees on safety precautions and protocols.

Water Quality Checks at Reopening Businesses

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding businesses that are reopening to check, and if needed, flush their water systems to ensure the best water quality for employees or patrons.  DEC has issued guidance to help businesses ensure their systems are functioning properly upon restart of operations.

New COVID-19 FAQs for Municipal Operations

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns offers updated FAQs for municipalities on recent guidance and its legal and practical effects on general municipal operations, as well as information related to municipal services such as dog licensing, access to public records, town office closures and re-openings, and processing zoning applications.

Non-Essential Retail Guidance Announced

ACCD has released updated guidance for non-essential retail and drive-in operations. This guidance, developed with the Department of Health and Department of Public Safety, goes into effect May 18, 2020 and includes reopening retail operations in a limited capacity with mandatory health and safety requirements. The Agency has provided new signage for retailers to post.

Paycheck Protection Program Reopened

Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are once again being accepted from participating lenders as of today. PPP provides cash-flow assistance to employers who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses and other eligible entities can apply if they were harmed between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Loans are available through June 30, 2020. Businesses can access PPP by contacting the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), their local bank or credit union, or the SBA Vermont District Office.

PPP and EIDL Daily Webinar

The SBA Vermont District Office is hosting a free daily webinar from 9:00am – 10:00am (Monday – Friday) to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Advance. Join online or call (202) 765-1264 and enter the code 470177937# when prompted.

Mandatory Safety Training Now Available

Addendum 11 to the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order included a directive that by May 4th, all employees returning to work according to Phased Work Safe Guidelines, including those already working, must complete a mandatory training on health and safety requirements as provided by VOSHA, or another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard. The Department of Labor has posted training materials in both online and printable formats.

Technical Assistance

ACCD encourages businesses to seek professional business counseling and technical assistance before taking on additional debt and to help navigate the various programs and resources available. Vermont has a robust business technical assistance provider network, including the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC). Click here to learn more and to request assistance from VtSBDC’s team of advisors.

In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, the VtSBDC created a Disaster Recovery Guide for Businesses, available on their website. This document may also help you begin your recovery. More resources and technical assistance providers can be found in the Business and Economic Resources section.

CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

For the full list of employer and business guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

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Business Impact

We are still interested in hearing from all Vermont businesses impacted by the response to the COVID-19 virus. Please continue to share these impacts via the Agency Business Impact Form, which will help us assess the full impact as we work toward solutions.

If you have other inquiries, please contact us through our dedicated email address: [email protected].

The Agency has also established a hotline so that businesses may call to report impacts and be directed to resources: (802) 461-5143. The hotline will be staffed Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Interactive Public Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map Now Available

The Vermont Department of Public Service has released an interactive Public Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map to help Vermonters connect to publicly available internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The map includes the location of the Wi-Fi hot spots and pertinent information about how to access them, including places where users can access Wi-Fi from outside the building or in a parked vehicle to encourage social distancing. Vermonters are encouraged to send information about Wi-Fi hot spots to [email protected] and review additional connectivity resources from the Department of Public Service online.

Translated Guidance for Vermonters

New fact sheet, translated into nine languages, has been added to Department of Health website under “Translated Materials.” The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Vermont has also posted a new series of COVID-19 videos in several languages.

 

 

NEW ORDER FROM GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT CONTINUES PHASED RE-OPENING; EXPANDS HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES, INCLUDING MANDATORY TRAINING

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 24, 2020

 

Media Contact

Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor

802-622-4047 | [email protected]

 

NEW ORDER FROM GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT CONTINUES PHASED RE-OPENING; EXPANDS HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES, INCLUDING MANDATORY TRAINING

 

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today outlined some additional openings as part of the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, introduced last week.

The Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order remains in effect, but with modeling continuing to indicate Vermonters are significantly slowing the spread of the virus, the Administration is taking a cautious, incremental and evidence-based approach to putting Vermonters back to work.

Governor Scott has emphasized the need for continued – and even expanded – vigilance as the state implements its restart strategy, saying: “Restarting the economy requires each of us to take a lot of personal responsibility. Each and every one of us has to do our part to help prevent the spread and protect the vulnerable by adhering to all of the social distancing and public health guidance.”

The Governor’s most recent order, signed Friday, directs any entity currently operating, or soon to be opened, to implement specified physical distancing, health, and sanitation measures, including requiring employees to wear face coverings for nose and mouth. It also requires all employers to provide – and all employees to complete – training on these health and safety requirements by May 4. VOSHA training is under development and will be released Monday, April 27.

If able to comply with the outlined safety measures, the Governor’s order allows the following operations to reopen:

  • Expanding on Addendum 10, outdoor businesses, construction operations and recreation maintenance work may operate with a maximum of five total workers per location. (Effective April 27).
  • Manufacturing and distribution operations, and interior construction of uninhabited structures, may resume operations with a maximum of five employees in one location, if they are low-density and ensure employees are always six feet apart. (Effective April 27). Corresponding guidance from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development makes clear that, consistent with Addendum 7, workers from out of state must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival; lodging properties remain closed to guests, including to non-essential out-of-state workers, except those previously exempted such as essential workers.
  • Outdoor retail space, previously restricted to curbside or delivery service, can allow in-person shopping with a maximum of 10 total people. (Effective April 27).
  • Farmers Markets may open May 1 with strict alterations that focus on food distribution and prevent congregating. They must meet the same health and safety requirements of all other operations and are directed to use a pre-order/pick-up model whenever possible. Local municipalities must approve reopening. Additional guidance will be provided by the Agency of Agriculture.

For a full list of health and safety requirements for all businesses and specifications for each newly opened operation, click here to view Addendum 11.

To view ACCD’s memo to business for specific safety guidelines and protocols, as well as additional resources, visit accd.vermont.gov.

For more information on:

 

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109 State Street | The Pavilion | Montpelier, VT 05609-0101 | www.vermont.gov

TELEPHONE: 802.828.3333 | FAX: 802.828.3339 | TDD: 802.828.3345

 

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT OUTLINES PRINCIPLES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR A PHASED RESTART OF VERMONT ECONOMY

 

State of Vermont

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

 

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 17, 2020

 

Media Contact

Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor

802-622-4047 | [email protected]

 

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT OUTLINES PRINCIPLES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR A PHASED RESTART OF VERMONT ECONOMY

New order allows small crews for outside construction or other outdoor trade jobs, and single-worker professional services

Clarifies guidance for retailers to allow additional operations using delivery and curbside service

Outlines safety requirements to ensure continued social distancing, hygiene and disinfection

 

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today outlined an approach for the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, emphasizing the state’s modeling indicates initial steps can be taken while the Stay Home, Stay Safe order remains in effect.

 

To begin to execute this strategy, Governor Scott today signed an addendum to Executive Order 01-20, which – in order to start getting more Vermonters back to work – institutes new health and safety requirements and encourages the public to wear cloth face coverings.

 

It also directs the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) to issue guidance authorizing outdoor businesses and construction operations with crews of two or less and some single-person low contact professional services, such as appraisers, attorneys, realtors and others, to operate if specified safety requirements can be met. These openings are effective April 20.

 

The state’s latest modeling, presented today, shows the growth rate in new COVID-19 cases has averaged below 4% for the last 12 days, the rate at which cases double has slowed dramatically, and the number of people requiring hospitalizations remains stable.

 

“We’re seeing some promising results and continue to trend below even the best-case scenarios predicted in recent forecasting,” said Governor Scott. “This is all a result of the hard work and sacrifice of Vermonters across the state, and I can’t thank you enough.”

 

“These forecasts show we can continue to slow the number of new COVID-19 cases if we continue to stay vigilant, meaning staying home, avoiding large gatherings, staying six feet away from others, using a cloth face covering when in public and washing our hands,” added the Governor. “But what these trends also show is that with the right precautions, we can take small steps to get more Vermonters back to work and avoid a spike in cases that would put lives at risk.”

 

Governor Scott outlined a measured, phased approach to reopen the economy – balancing the need to improve overall social and economic wellbeing with the need to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks.

 

The order, and a corresponding guidance memo from ACCD, detail specific measures for those businesses authorized to reopen to ensure continued social distancing. Applying these measures, it also clarifies guidance to allow more retail operations to operate through phone-in or online ordering, and curbside pickup or delivery.

 

The Governor also outlined five principles, developed in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Health, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), ACCD and others, which will guide the state’s Restart Vermont planning and decision-making process. They are:

  • Keep our eyes on the data: The administration will continue to be guided by data and modeling, and track any changes to case trends, infection and death rates.
  • Maintain health care readiness: The administration will continue monitoring and maintaining the state stockpile and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing materials to ensure it continues meeting the needs of the healthcare system and workers. Additionally, the state will continue to monitor available beds and ventilators, and make purchases as necessary, to ensure capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.
  • Increase testing and tracing: The state currently has a robust testing approach but will continue to work to make testing more widely available and strengthen the epidemiology and contact tracing rapid response teams.
  • Work Smarter & Work Safer: ACCD’s RestartVT Team will work with the Health Department and the SEOC to help businesses develop “COVID-19 Operations Plans,” which will include sector strategies for phased opening, including worker and customer protections, and training and monitoring procedures.
  • Play Smarter, Play Safer: The RestartVT Team will also evaluate how to reopen outdoor recreation, retail, restaurants and bars, travel and other activities, focusing on the conditions needed to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.

 

“Preventing outbreaks and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is the only way to avoid future business and social disruption,” said Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle in her memo to Vermont businesses. “The success of this phased restart will depend in large part on the ability of employers and employees to adhere to the public health, safety and social distancing measures essential to limiting the spread of illness.”

 

The administration will continue to update the public on the RestartVT planning process as details and next steps are determined.

 

Click here to view Addendum 10.

 

To view ACCD’s memo to business for specific safety guidelines and protocols for Phase 1 business openings, as well as additional resources, visit accd.vermont.gov.

 

For more information on the Governor’s actions, visit governor.vermont.gov/covid19response. For the latest information and guidance relating to COVID-19, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.

 

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109 State Street | The Pavilion | Montpelier, VT 05609-0101 | www.vermont.gov

TELEPHONE: 802.828.3333 | FAX: 802.828.3339 | TDD: 802.828.3345