Gov. Phil Scott has ordered all “close-contact businesses” in the state — spas, barbershops, nail and hair salons, gyms, and fitness centers, as well as tattoo parlors — to close by Monday, March 23, at 8 p.m.
Such businesses are “unable to comply with guidelines for social distancing,” the governor’s office said in a Saturday morning press release. Scott has already ordered the closure of schools and childcare centers, bars, and restaurants amid the continuing spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus.
“As I’ve said throughout this crisis, I will continue act to slow the spread of this virus in Vermont, because we must protect those at greatest risk of serious illness and ensure they can get the care they need, when they need it,” Scott said in the release. “We will continue to make decisions based on science and guidance from our experts. I don’t make these decisions lightly, and my heart goes out to these workers and small business owners who are feeling the negative effects.”
The order issued Saturday also prohibits nonessential gatherings of more than 10 people, down from the maximum of 50 the governor allowed in a March 16 directive. Scott declared a state of emergency on March 13 and initially capped gatherings at 250 people.
Per the release, “A ‘non-essential gathering’ does not include normal operations at airports, bus or railway stations where persons may be in transit; typical office, construction, manufacturing, grocery, food production, retail and retail banking, professional or other employment environments; gatherings of the press; or operations of the Vermont Judiciary or General Assembly consistent with their constitutional authority.”
The new restrictions are in place until April 15, according to the order.



Gov. Scott still sounds timid and he’s going to wind up looking as flat-footed and clueless as Donald the Donkey.
He needs to get the VT Guard into gear building extra hospital capacity for the expected wave of patients that will need ICU care.
COMMON SENSE is what will help. The media are the biggest problem. Work that FEAR FACTOR in really good.
Yes, people need to take precautions. Our biggest defense is COMMON SENSE. Going crazy and hoarding stuff, binge buying and then price gouging is so wrong. Greed and fear are worse. A man traveled over 1300 miles from KY and TENN and bought 18,000 sanitizer bottles and 6.000 wipes. Selling them from $10 -$70 a bottle. He tried to sell them on Amazon but Amazon banned him. A reporter asked him if he was sorry about this. he said “NO” !!!
Our President Donald Trump has stepped up and is helping us, the American Citizens !!!! He is not clueless like some people. !! All these Trump haters.. when the checks come to help Americans get through this. you will be sending your checks back right???
For the love of all that is common sensical, Donna Boutin, please refrain from tendering plaudits for our IncompetentInChief as we scramble through this crisis !?!?…TrumptyDumpty is proving how horribly lacking he is in terms of foresight and initiative, not to mention vocabulary and empathy…#votehimout & #lockhimup…Oh and I will contribute MY check to a worthy cause when #DiaperDon divulges his tax returns plus documentation that, as he claimed the other day, he contributes his presidential salary to a cause other than his own (or that of his equally slimy, meanspirited offspring!?)
For the love of all that is common sensical, Donna Boutin, please refrain from tendering plaudits for our IncompetentInChief as we scramble through this crisis !?!?…TrumptyDumpty is proving how horribly lacking he is in terms of foresight and initiative, not to mention vocabulary and empathy…#votehimout & #lockhimup…Oh and I will contribute MY check to a worthy cause when #DiaperDon divulges his tax returns plus documentation that, as he claimed the other day, he contributes his presidential salary to a cause other than his own (or that of his equally slimy, meanspirited offspring!?)
@ CrossFire
As they say down South “BLESS YOU” !!!
People like you are a danger to our society … Hatred