{"id":508,"date":"2020-04-17T19:01:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T19:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncssinc.org\/news\/?p=508"},"modified":"2020-04-21T18:43:46","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T18:43:46","slug":"governor-phil-scott-outlines-principles-and-safety-precautions-for-a-phased-restart-of-vermont-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncssinc.org\/news\/governor-phil-scott-outlines-principles-and-safety-precautions-for-a-phased-restart-of-vermont-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT OUTLINES PRINCIPLES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR A PHASED RESTART OF VERMONT ECONOMY"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PRESS RELEASE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT OUTLINES PRINCIPLES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR A PHASED RESTART OF VERMONT ECONOMY<\/h2>\n
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17 APRIL 2020<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Montpelier, Vt. \u2013 Governor Phil Scott today outlined an approach for the phased restart of Vermont\u2019s economy, emphasizing the state\u2019s modeling indicates initial steps can be taken while the\u00a0Stay Home, Stay Safe<\/a>\u00a0order remains in effect.<\/p>\n

To begin to execute this strategy, Governor Scott today signed an\u00a0addendum<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0Executive Order 01-20<\/a>, which \u2013 in order to start getting more Vermonters back to work \u2013 institutes new health and safety requirements and encourages the public to wear cloth face coverings.<\/p>\n

It also directs the\u00a0Agency of Commerce and Community Development\u00a0<\/a>(ACCD) to\u00a0issue guidance<\/a>\u00a0authorizing 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.<\/p>\n

The state\u2019s latest modeling, presented today, shows the growth rate in new COVID-19 cases has averaged below 4%\u00a0for the last 12 days, the rate at which cases double has slowed dramatically, and the number of people requiring hospitalizations remains stable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing some promising results and continue to trend below even the best-case scenarios predicted in recent forecasting,\u201d said Governor Scott. \u201cThis is all a result of the hard work and sacrifice of Vermonters across the state, and I can\u2019t thank you enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese 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,\u201d added the Governor. \u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The order, and a corresponding\u00a0guidance memo from ACCD<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Restart Vermont planning and decision-making process. They are:<\/p>\n