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Documenting Vermont's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Vermont coronavirus coverage
Debate in Vermont
Vermont government responses
School reopenings in Vermont
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Vermont's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

July 2021

  • July 6: Effective Tuesday, July 6, most of the state’s courthouses reopened to in-person proceedings. A Vermont Judiciary news release said some small or poorly ventilated courthouses would stay closed. The release also said that because some judges will choose to hold remote proceedings, visitors should check with the courthouse before arriving in-person.

June 2021

  • June 14:
    • On June 14, Gov. Phil Scott (R) lifted all remaining coronavirus restrictions in the state, including capacity restrictions and mask requirements for unvaccinated individuals. The restrictions were lifted after 80% of eligible state residents received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Reopening had initially been scheduled for July 4.
    • On June 11, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced there would be new walk-in vaccination clinics open statewide over the weekend. A full list of vaccination sites can be found here.
  • June 7: On Friday, June 4, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced a series of weekend pop-up vaccination clinics around the state. The clinics are part of an effort to get 80% of eligible residents inoculated with at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. Scott said that if the state reached that 80% threshold, then he would end remaining COVID-19 restrictions. At the time of the announcement, the state said 78.6% of residents had received at least one shot.

May 2021

  • May 24: On Friday, May 21, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced the state will remove its remaining COVID-19 restrictions once 80% of eligible residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vermont is currently scheduled to end its COVID-19 restrictions on July 4. At the time of Scott’s press conference, 70% of the eligible population had received at least one dose of a vaccine.
  • May 3: On Saturday, May 1, Gov. Phil Scott (R) revised the outdoor mask mandate for vaccinated and non-vaccinated residents and visitors. Masks are only required in crowded settings when social distancing isn’t possible. Scott also changed indoor gatherings restrictions to allow one unvaccinated individual per 100 square feet with a maximum of 150 unvaccinated people. Additionally, Scott replaced specific restrictions on most types of businesses—including restaurants, manufacturing and construction, and places of worship—with general mask-wearing and social distancing guidance.

April 2021

  • April 29: On April 29, part-time Vermont residents are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Part-time residents include college students and people who own second homes in the state.
  • April 22: On April 29, part-time Vermont residents will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Part-time residents include college students and people who own second homes in the state.
  • April 19: Residents 16 and older are eligible for vaccination starting April 19
  • April 12:
    • All residents 30 and older are eligible for vaccination starting April 12. Previously, residents 40 and older were eligible.
    • The state’s phased reopening plan started April 9 with an easing of the statewide travel restrictions. Additionally, businesses in Group A, which includes outdoor businesses, retail operations, and low or no contact professional services, are no longer required to follow sector-specific guidance. Instead, those businesses must follow universal guidance, which includes keeping employees home if they are sick and requiring that all employees wear masks.
  • April 6: On Tuesday, April 6, Gov. Phil Scott (R) released a phased reopening plan. The plan, which begins April 9 with an easing of the statewide travel restrictions, unfolds in three phases, with the aim of ending all coronavirus restrictions and mandates by July.
  • April 5:
    • Effective April 5, residents 40 and older are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
    • On Thursday, April 1, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced on Twitter that residents 16 and older who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • April 1: On Wednesday, March 31, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that out-of-state students and out-of-state homeowners will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on April 30.

March 2021

  • March 31: On Tuesday, March 30, Gov. Phil Scott (R) said that out-of-state college students are ineligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Scott said that could change in the future if the state receives enough vaccine doses.
  • March 29: On March 29, vaccine eligibility expandsto include people 50 and older. Previously, everyone 60 and older became eligible for vaccination on March 25.
  • March 25:
    • Residents 60 and older are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine starting March 25.
    • On March 24, bars reopened to indoor service under the same rules that previously applied to restaurants. Those rules include a 50% occupancy limit, no standing or mingling, and no more than six people per table. Organizations like the American Legion and Elks Lodge can also resume indoor operations under the same rules.
  • March 19: On Friday, March 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people 60 and older will become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine March 25. On March 29, eligibility will expand to include people 50 and older. People 40 and older will become eligible on April 5, while those 30 and older will become eligible April 12. Scott said everyone 16 and older can access the vaccine April 19.
  • March 12 : On Friday, March 12, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that, effective immediately, two non-vaccinated households can gather together at one time, and restaurants can seat up to six people from different families.
  • March 11: People 16 and older with underlying health conditions, including cancer and chronic kidney disease, are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • March 8:
    • On Friday, March 5, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated people can gather with other fully vaccinated people without limit. Additionally, vaccinated people in a household can gather with one unvaccinated household.
    • People aged 55 and older with underlying health conditions are eligible to receive vaccines beginning March 8. K-12 teachers and staff and child care workers are also eligible for vaccines.
  • March 3: On Tuesday, March 2, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people aged 55 and older with underlying health conditions will become eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccines beginning March 8. People aged 16 and older with underlying health conditions can receive the vaccines March 15. Additionally, beginning March 8, K-12 teachers and staff, and child care workers, will become eligible for the coronavirus vaccines.
  • March 1: On Monday, March 1, people aged 65 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

February 2021

  • February 26: Gatherings are allowed at nursing homes whose residents have been fully vaccinated starting Feb. 26.
  • February 23: On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated residents who travel to another state will no longer need to quarantine when returning to Vermont beginning Feb. 23. Fully vaccinated residents will receive cards that they can display upon request when traveling in or out of the state. Scott also said that fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers will not need to quarantine if they can provide proof of vaccination. Additionally, Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced that fully vaccinated residents at long-term care facilities where there is no outbreak may participate in congregate activities if the facility is within the federal guidance for COVID-19 positivity rates.
  • February 19: On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers will no longer need to quarantine upon entering the state beginning Feb. 23. Scott also announced that gatherings will be allowed on Feb. 26 at nursing homes whose residents have been fully vaccinated.
  • February 16:
    • On Sunday, Feb. 15, Gov. Phil Scott (R) extended the coronavirus state of emergency.
    • On Tuesday, Feb. 16, residents age 70 and above became eligible to register to receive coronavirus vaccines.
  • February 12: On Feb. 12, school and youth sports leagues and games are resuming with restrictions. Teams are limited to two games a week, and parents cannot attend.
  • February 8: On Friday, Feb. 5, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore announced that school and youth sports leagues and games can resume Feb. 12 with restrictions. Teams will be limited to two games a week, and parents will not be allowed to attend.

January 2021

  • January 25: Effective Jan. 25, people age 75 and older are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Gov. Phill Scott (R) made the announcement Friday, Jan. 22.
  • January 19: On Friday. Jan. 15, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people age 75 and older will become eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine when the next phase of the state’s distribution plan goes into effect Jan. 25.

December 2020

  • December 23: On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced he was temporarily lifting a ban on multi-household gatherings for the holidays. Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, households can gather with one other household. If a gathering occurs that involves a household from outside Vermont, all participants must quarantine for 14 days. Participants can end their quarantine early if they receive a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than seven days into the quarantine.
  • December 16: On Tuesday, Dec. 15, Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued an executive order extending the COVID-19 state of emergency through January 15, 2021. The emergency declaration includes restrictions like limits on social gatherings.

November 2020

  • November 17: On Friday, Nov. 13, Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued a series of new coronavirus restrictions that were scheduled to take effect Nov. 14. The restrictions include a ban on in-person service at bars, a requirement that restaurants close by 10 p.m. each night, and a prohibition on multi-household social gatherings or holiday celebrations.

October 2020

  • October 22: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced an additional $76 million in funding for the state’s Economic Recovery Grants. The money comes from federal CARES Act funding. The state previously appropriated $152 million for the grant program.
  • October 16: On Thursday, Oct. 15, Gov. Phil Scott (R) extended the state of emergency through Nov. 15.

September 2020

  • September 23: On Sept. 22, Vermont Education Secretary Dan French announced that schools would advance to step 3 of reopening, which allows for inter-scholastic competitions, on Sept. 26. Step 3 also permits schools to use common areas like gyms and small groups of students.
  • September 18: On Sept. 18, The Agency for Commerce and Community Development released updated reopening guidance for lodgings and campgrounds and restaurants and bars. Effective immediately, multi-room lodging operations can book 100% of rooms. Restaurants and bars can allow a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors, or their maximum licensed seating capacity, whichever is less. Bar seating can reopen if there is a physical barrier separating patrons from the drink preparation area.
  • September 2: On Sept. 1, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development issued new guidance that requires student athletes to wear face coverings during games and practices when social distancing isn’t possible. The guidance takes effect Sept. 8.

August 2020

  • August 25: On Aug. 24, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had approved the state’s application for an additional $300 per week for individuals receiving unemployment benefits. President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order on Aug. 8 that allows funds in the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) program to be used to bolster state unemployment insurance programs.
  • August 14: On Aug. 14, Gov. Phil Scott (R) extended the state of emergency order through Sept. 15.
  • August 13: The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development updated its mandatory health and safety requirement to allow businesses, nonprofits, and government entities to decline services to individuals without face coverings. Individuals must be given an alternative way to receive services or access the business.

July 2020

  • July 28: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced on July 28 that schools will not reopen until Sept. 8. School districts will decide whether to return students to physical classrooms or offer distance learning.
  • July 24: Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued an executive order requiring people older than the age of two to wear masks in public places. The mandate will take effect on Aug. 1.
  • July 10: The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development issued new requirements for large outdoor venues. Effective July 10, event venues, such as football stadiums, fairgrounds, and outdoor concert venues, can exceed the 150-person cap on outdoor gatherings if they create additional areas spaced 25 feet apart with physical barriers. People in the distinct areas cannot interact with those in other distinct areas and must be provided with separate parking, concessions and vendors, bathrooms, and entrances and exits. Event venues must maintain guest lists for each distinct area for 30 days.
  • July 7: On July 7, Gov. Phil Scott (R) released guidance for universities and colleges planning on reopening in the fall, including reducing capacity in dining halls and requiring all students to receive testing at the beginning of the year.

June 2020

  • June 26: Effective June 26, outdoor sporting events of up to 150 people, including spectators and participants, can resume. Spectator areas must allow for social distancing of 100 square feet per person. Additionally, restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity or one person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Places of worship are also allowed to operate according to the same guidelines.
  • June 19: Effective June 19, limited outdoor visits can resume at long-term care facilities. Each resident is permitted two visitors per day. At a press conference on June 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that event, arts, culture, and entertainment venues and restaurants can operate at 50% capacity beginning June 26.
  • June 15: Gov. Phil Scott extended Vermont’s state of emergency through July 15. The state of emergency gives Scott the authority to reopen the economy in steps and is not the same thing as the stay-at-home order, which expired in May. Additionally, effective June 15, out-of-state travelers to Vermont will need to complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • June 8: Effective June 8, restaurants are permitted to reopen to indoor dining at 25% capacity or 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater. Travel restrictions for out-of-state visitors from some counties in New England and New York were also lifted. The Agency of Commerce and Community said it would release a map on June 8 at 5 p.m. identifying the counties the 14-day quarantine requirement no longer applies to.
  • June 1: The limit on social gatherings increased from 10 to 25 on June 1. Several close contact businesses, including fitness centers, nail salons, and tattoo parlors, can reopen at 25% capacity. Libraries, galleries, museums, and theaters reopen at 25% capacity, as well.

May 2020

  • May 18: Non-essential retail businesses began reopening to in-person shopping on May 18. Businesses are limited to 25% capacity, and employees must wear face coverings.
  • May 15: Statewide stay-at-home orders in five states—Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, and Vermont—ended on May 15. These became the 19th through 23rd states where stay-at-home orders have ended. Of those five states, three have Republican governors and two have Democratic governors.
  • May 11: On Monday, May 11, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that retail businesses will be allowed to reopen May 18. Businesses will need to enforce social distancing requirements, including keeping shoppers six feet apart and only allow in 25% of the legal capacity. Employees will also be required to wear masks.
  • May 8: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that all child care programs in the state can reopen on June 1.
  • May 6: Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued an order that loosens restrictions on social gatherings. Gatherings of 10 people or fewer are now allowed. Many types of outdoor recreation, such as golf and outdoor basketball games, are now allowed. Sporting or spectator events are not allowed.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Vermont Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Vermont state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] A COVID-19 Vaccination Planning Team
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? COVID-19 vaccines in Vermont: eligibility status
Where can I find the distribution plan? COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES IN VERMONT
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? VERMONT DASHBOARD
Where is the state health department's homepage? Vermont Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Vermont - AARP

Timeline

  • Oct. 21, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) added the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to the state’s booster shot program. The FDA authorized Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots on Oct. 20.[2]
  • April 29, 2021: Part-time Vermont residents became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Part-time residents included college students and people who owned second homes in the state.[3]
  • April 21, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced part-time residents would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on April 29. Part-time residents were scheduled to include college students and owners of second homes in the state.[4]
  • April 19, 2021: Vermont residents 16 and older became eligible for vaccination.[5]
  • April 12, 2021: Vermont residents 30 and older became eligible for vaccination. Previously, residents 40 and older were eligible.[6]
  • April 5, 2021: Vermont residents 40 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[7]
  • March 31, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that out-of-state students and out-of-state homeowners would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on April 30.[8]
  • March 29, 2021: Vermont vaccine eligibility expanded to include people 50 and older. Previously, everyone 60 and older was eligible for vaccination.[9]
  • March 25, 2021: Vermont residents 60 and older became eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.[10]
  • March 19, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people 60 and older would become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine March 25. On March 29, eligibility was scheduled to expand to include people 50 and older. People 40 and older were scheduled to become eligible on April 5, while those 30 and older were scheduled to become eligible Aril 12. Scott said everyone 16 and older would be able to access the vaccine by April 19.[11]
  • March 15, 2021: Vermont residents aged 16 and older with underlying health conditions became eligible for vaccines.[12]
  • March 11, 2021: Vermont residents 16 and older with underlying health conditions, including cancer and chronic kidney disease, became eligible to register for coronavirus vaccines.[13]
  • March 8, 2021: In Vermont, people aged 55 and older with underlying health conditions became eligible to receive vaccines beginning March 8. K-12 teachers and staff and child care workers also became eligible for vaccines.[14]
  • March 2, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people aged 55 and older with underlying health conditions, K-12 teachers and staff, and child care workers would become eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines beginning March 8. People aged 16 and older with underlying health conditions were scheduled to start receiving vaccines March 15.[15]
  • March 1, 2021: Vermont residents aged 65 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[16]
  • February 23, 2021: In Vermont, fully vaccinated residents traveling to other states no longer needed to quarantine when returning to Vermont. Fully vaccinated residents received cards to display upon request when traveling in or out of the state. Scott also said fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers did not need to quarantine if they could provide proof of vaccination. Additionally, Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced that fully vaccinated residents at long-term care facilities where there was no outbreak could participate in congregate activities if the facility was within the federal guidance for COVID-19 positivity rates.[17]
  • February 19, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers will no longer need to quarantine upon entering the state beginning Feb. 23. Scott also announced that gatherings will be allowed on Feb. 26 at nursing homes whose residents have been fully vaccinated.[18]
  • February 16, 2021: In Vermont, residents age 70 and above became eligible to register to receive coronavirus vaccines.[19]
  • January 25, 2021: In Vermont, people age 75 and older became eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine.[20]
  • January 15, 2021: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people age 75 and older would become eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine when the next phase of the state’s distribution plan went into effect Jan. 25.[21]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Vermont to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Vermont were closed to in-person instruction on March 18, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. The state allowed schools to start reopening on September 8, 2020. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Vermont.[22][23]
  • September 22, 2020: Vermont Education Secretary Dan French announced that schools would advance to step 3 of reopening, which allowed for inter-scholastic competitions, on Sept. 26. Step 3 also permitted schools to use common areas like gyms and small groups of students.[24]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were in-person in Vermont.[25][26]
  • July 28, 2020: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that schools would not reopen until Sept. 8. School districts would decide whether to return students to physical classrooms or offer distance learning.[27]
  • June 17, 2020: The Vermont Agency of Education released a 25-page guidance document for reopening schools. The guidance included health checks on entry, staggered drop-off and pickup times, and hand sanitizing stations at entrances.[28]


  • March 26, 2020: Scott announced that schools would be closed for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were scheduled to reopen on April 6.[29]
  • March 15, 2020: Scott ordered all K-12 schools in the state to close effective March 18 until at least April 6.[12]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Vermont have restrictions on travel? No. Gov. Phil Scott (R) ended the requirement that unvaccinated out-of-state travelers and returning residents quarantine for 10 days or present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival on May 14, 2021.[30]

More information can be found at the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing.

Timeline

  • May 14, 2021: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) ended the requirement that unvaccinated out-of-state travelers and returning residents quarantine for 10 days or present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.[31]
  • February 19, 2021: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated residents who travel to another state will no longer need to quarantine when returning to Vermont beginning Feb. 23. Fully vaccinated residents will receive cards that they can display upon request when traveling in or out of the state. Scott also said that fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers will not need to quarantine if they can provide proof of vaccination.[32]
  • November 11, 2020: Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued an order requiring all visitors to Vermont to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. After 7 days, visitors can take a COVID-19 test and end their quarantine early if they test negative. Visitors engaged in essential travel are exempt from the quarantine requirement.[33]
  • June 26, 2020: Beginning July 1, out-of-state visitors arriving from low-risk counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia in a personal vehicle will no longer need to quarantine for 14-days after arriving in Vermont. Vermont residents who visit those counties and then return home will also no longer need to quarantine.[34]
  • June 5, 2020: Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that the quarantine requirement will be lifted for out-of-state travelers from counties across New England with similar COVID-19 caseloads to Vermont starting June 8. The Agency of Commerce and Community said it would release a map June 8 at 5 p.m. identifying quarantine and non-quarantine counties. Additionally, Vermont residents will be allowed to travel to the non-quarantine counties and return home without quarantining for 14 days.[35]
  • March 30, 2020: Gov. Scott issued an addendum to Executive Order 01-20 requiring all residents and non-residents traveling to Vermont to self-quarantine for two weeks. Those traveling for essential purposes were exempt. According to the order, essential purposes were defined as traveling for safety, food, beverages, medicine, healthcare, care for others and essential work outlined in Stay Home/Stay Safe order. Scott also asked would-be travelers displaying symptoms or coming from an area with a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 not to enter Vermont. A reevaluation for the order was set for April 15.[36]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Gov. Phil Scott (R) issued a statewide mandate requiring people older than the age of two to wear masks in public places. On May 1, Scott lifted the outdoor mask requirement in crowded settings when social distancing was possible.[37]

On May 14, 2021, Scott announced that fully vaccinated individuals would no longer be required to wear masks while indoors.

On June 14, 2021, Scott ended the statewide mask requirement for everyone (including unvaccinated people).[38]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Co. v. Town of Bolton: On January 28, 2021, a Chittenden County Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company (CATIC) against nine Vermont town clerks. In its complaint, CATIC had asked the court to mandate that town clerks take "reasonable steps necessary to ensure that their municipal land and zoning records are fully available for inspection and copying by the public during the municipalities’ previously established customary hours," notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions on access to government buildings and resources. The complaint contended that various clerks had restricted access to municipal land and zoning records, resulting "in a scattershot approach to the opening of municipal land records that is highly inconsistent across the State, with access to many municipal land records not being available during reasonable or customary hours," in violation of state law. A group of 209 clerks and treasurers across the Northeast signed onto a letter by Montpelier City Clerk John Odum, writing that, "[In] the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this lawsuit could have implications for the health and safety of municipal employees and members of the general public." Andy Mikell, a CATIC employee, said, "Access to the land records isn’t just critical for attorneys, it’s also critical for appraisers, surveyors, realtors, and property owners who just need access to the records to conduct property transactions … and if they are closed or reduce their hours or impose unreasonable restrictions, anybody seeking access is left without access." Judge Samuel Hoar dismissed the lawsuit from the bench, issuing no written opinion on the matter.[39][40]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

No officials or candidates have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus.

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Vermont Office of the Governor, "VERMONT EXPANDS BOOSTER SHOTS TO INCLUDE MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON," October 21, 2021
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT429
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT421
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT419
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT412
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT45
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT331
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT329
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT325
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT319
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Vermont Public Radio, "Gov. Closes K-12 Vermont Schools Starting Wednesday To Slow Coronavirus," March 15, 2020
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT311
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT36
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT32
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT31
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT223
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT219
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT216
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT125
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VT115
  22. ↑ Burbio rated Vermont's in-person index at 90.4. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  23. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  24. ↑ NECN, "Vermont Eases School Restrictions, Allows Sporting Competitions," accessed September 24, 2020
  25. ↑ Burbio rated Vermont's in-person index between 60-80. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  26. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  27. ↑ VT Digger, "Scott moves mandatory school start date to Sept. 8," July 28, 2020
  28. ↑ WCAX, "New guidance released for reopening Vermont schools," June 17, 2020
  29. ↑ VTDigger, "Schools dismissed through end of school year," March 26, 2020
  30. ↑ Burlington Free Press, "Answering 7 questions about Vermont's new mask mandate and COVID guidelines," May 15, 2021
  31. ↑ Burlington Free Press, "Answering 7 questions about Vermont's new mask mandate and COVID guidelines," May 15, 2021
  32. ↑ Saint Albans Messenger, "COVID-19: Gov. Phil Scott announces relaxed restrictions on travel, long-term care facilities," February 19, 2021
  33. ↑ The Hill, "Vermont orders quarantine for visitors amid new COVID-19 outbreak," November 11, 2020
  34. ↑ Office of Governor Phil Scott, "GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT EXPANDS TRUSTED TRAVEL POLICY," June 26, 2020
  35. ↑ NECN, "Vermont Expands Travel, Dining and Lodging Capacity," June 5, 2020
  36. ↑ State of Vermont, "Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in Vermont," accessed April 2, 2020
  37. ↑ Associated Press, "Vermont to update outdoor mask rule, enter 2nd reopen phase," accessed May 3, 2021
  38. ↑ VT Digger, "Vermont reopens: Scott lifts restrictions as state reaches 80% vaccination goal," accessed June 14, 2021
  39. ↑ Vermont Judiciary Public Portal, "Case summary: Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company v. Town of Bolton," accessed February 2, 2021
  40. ↑ Chittenden County Superior Court, "Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Co. v. Town of Bolton: Complaint," November 13, 2020
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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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State responses to coronavirus
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