Vermont issues business curfews, prohibits multi-household gatherings
Changes come one day after state reports record 109 COVID-19 cases
Changes come one day after state reports record 109 COVID-19 cases
Changes come one day after state reports record 109 COVID-19 cases
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced new business curfews and gathering restrictions Friday, part of a renewed push to fight a COVID-19 surge in the state.
Bars and social clubs across the state are now required to shutter in-person service, and restaurants will be required to close all services, except takeout, at 10 p.m. each night beginning Saturday. All customer-facing businesses, including gyms, must keep a visitor log to aide in potential contact tracing efforts.
"I want to be clear: We're in a new phase of this pandemic," Scott said. "The days of low-risk are over."
The state is also prohibiting all multi-household gatherings — public or private — effective immediately. It's a move Scott said the state had "no choice" but to make after observing recent outbreak data.
"Since Oct. 1, 71% of the cases that are associated with an outbreak are associated with an outbreak from a private party or social gathering," Health Commissioner Mark Levine said. "Seventy-one percent."
It's no coincidence that the restrictions are coming two weeks after Halloween and just ahead of a Thanksgiving holiday typically defined by gatherings. State health officials said the case increase from Halloween parties was notable and are desperately trying to avoid another surge.
Watch: Gov. Phil Scott announces new guidelines
A month ago, the state was reporting an average of 8.5 new cases each day. Now, Vermont's moving average has surged to 65 cases each day, including a record 109 new cases reported in the state on Thursday.
The state's positivity rate sits at approximately 1.3%, according to Levine, but he also noted that number can change quickly if a continuing case increase worsens.
"That data has shown us a clear picture of a rising tide that could have consequences," Levine said.
The data also prompted Scott to put all recreational sports leagues on pause, a move he says will be reviewed on a week-by-week basis.
One message was clear from all state leaders during Friday's COVID-19 briefing: People refusing to follow public safety guidelines are exacerbating already-climbing case numbers.
"We want to get back to where we were, but we need your help," Levine said during his closing statements. "Accepting our situation and following the guidance the governor and I have described today is what we must do now."