Updated 6:23 p.m.
Gov. Phil Scott has ordered Vermont bars and restaurants to close for at least the next three weeks in the latest move to restrict public life amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Vermont Secretary of Commerce Lindsay Kurrle told lawmakers about the decision during a conference call Monday afternoon. The governor later confirmed it about an hour later in a press release that said establishments can continue to offer takeout and delivery service.
The order is effective 2 p.m. on Tuesday and runs through April 6, “though this could be extended,” the press release said.
“These changes reflect the growing trend of confirmed coronavirus cases in Vermont, new recommendations from the CDC, social distancing and mitigation efforts recommended by the Vermont Department of Health, and ongoing discussions with neighboring states,” the press release said.
The announcement arrives hours after Vermont officials said that they believe the coronavirus has started to spread through the community, with four new cases in the last 24 hours.
“I want Vermonters to know we’re continuously evaluating other mitigation steps and will continue to communicate as they are put into place,” Scott said at a press conference Monday morning. “It’s important to remember in times of crisis, we all need to make sacrifices.”
Scott has been forced to make monumental decisions at a frenetic pace in recent days, caught between a public that seems split over whether he’s moving too quickly or too slowly.
On Friday, the governor declared a state of emergency and banned nonessential gatherings of more than 250 people. On Sunday, he ordered Vermont schools closed by Wednesday. On Monday, he tightened the density restrictions to 50 people, citing new federal recommendations.
“Every action that we’ve taken thus far has been based on science, data and the guidance of experts,” Scott said Monday, noting that the goal is to encourage people to distance themselves from others to slow the spread of the virus.
That was the same message offered Monday by a national coronavirus task force, which joined President Donald Trump at a press conference to announce new guidelines for the public. Two of Scott’s measures — school closures and bar and restaurant restrictions — addressed points from those guidelines, though the task force also recommended that people avoid gathering in groups of more than 10.
Shortly before Scott’s announcement, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said at a press conference that he was ordering city bars and restaurants to close, except for takeout and food delivery. The ban begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, Weinberger said.
The mayor’s press conference was held at the Burlington Police Department headquarters and live-streamed on Facebook.
“I believe it is my job to do everything within my authority and responsibility to keep these numbers as low as possible,” Weinberger said. The mayor recognized that curtailing restaurant service to takeout and delivery will have economic consequences, particularly for low-wage workers, but said the actions will save lives.
Weinberger said he’s impressed by the number of Queen City eateries that have already made the switch.
“My sense is there’s strong support for clarity, clear action from the city,” he said. “I’m sure there will be some who disagree with this action, but I am also confident that many will be supportive of it.”
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I just don’t know how they could have taken that step without thinking of the livelihood of the thousands of restaurant workers. There is no mention of financial assistance the the businesses themselves or to assistance for the workers. Is this how e take care of people? Every human in VT just about is out of work and the VT DOL is not answering their phone? If they need help with the hotlines and getting people signed up, I know a few thousand servers who have excellent cistomer service skills who could help expedite and could use a paycheck right now.
Yep because bars and restaurants are the biggest culprits, right? According to a memo from Suzanne Young, the Secretary of Administration to VSEA (you can see a copy of the memo on VSEA’s website) the only people that need to worry about COVID-19 are the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions and apparently it’s the Scott administrations belief that anyone outside of those 2 risk groups are perfectly fine and in no danger and able to gather and go to work so why close schools and small businesses? if Scott and his merry band of flying monkeys aren’t sending state government employees home to work remotely, why are they ordering the closing of small, local private business? It’s a weak-knee’d and arbitrary response from an administration way out if it’s depth and Sec. Young’s callous response is indicative of the Administrations contempt for the state workforce and it also would indicate that for all the Governors voiced concern for Vermont small business he’s just really crying crocodile tears.
Here’s hoping the presence of police is as prevalent as ever on and around Church St if only to monitor activity and make sure the already alchohol/weed/susbstance-saturated mobile petri dishes that populate the bars are kept at bay–ALONG WITH THEIR OWNERS!!!…Fine ’em daily if necessary until and unless they get the message!!!
Anodyne7,
What are you on about? Any suggestions for how to protect the People? You don’t seem to be a Florence Nightingale. All the people I see are People.
Vulnerable, too – needing help, as we all do at times.
I get it that Scott feels the need to close businesses. Speaking only about bars, 2pm closure on St. Patrick’s Day? Could’ve at least gone to midnight… Bet he lost some votes!
Lol, just kidding folks. Don’t tell me how critical this shit is, I do get it. It’s just…
Since people, and the elderly are able to buy prepared meals from restaurants, I am wondering what, if any precautions are enforced on those that actually prepare and handle the food cooked.
Do they have to wear gloves and masks while preparing meals? One sneeze could contaminate a whole pan of food.
Are those working on food, or it’s distribution, scanned with a thermometer daily?