Village mask ordinance still in effect after state update
The Village Green in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
The state of Vermont has adjusted its statewide mask mandate, but Woodstock Village officials are reminding residents that the village mask ordinance remains in effect, including for public outdoor locations.
The ordinance requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Exceptions are spelled out for some situations, several of which include toddlers age 2 and younger, people with breathing issues, strenuous outdoor work, or athletic activity such as running or bicycle riding.
At his Friday press conference, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced a change to the statewide mask mandate, in accordance with recent CDC guidance. Starting on Saturday, May 1, the state is no longer requiring people to wear masks when outdoors, as long as social distancing can be maintained. That applies to all individuals, vaccinated or not.
"The science and data show outdoor transmission is rare and poses little risk," Scott said.
However, Scott added that municipalities and businesses can still impose stricter mask regulations if they see fit.
On Saturday, Jeff Kahn, chair of the Woodstock Village Trustees, confirmed that the local mask ordinance remains in place. The Trustees would have to meet to make any changes to the rule, and the board plans to discuss the matter at their May 11 meeting.
Noting he's just one vote on the board, Kahn said he favors leaving the ordinance as is until July 4, when the state mandate is scheduled to go away entirely. At that point, he said, the local ordinance could be suspended. Kahn also noted that on the village sidewalks, people can't stay socially distanced.
As written, part of the village ordinance states: "This Order shall remain in effect until the Woodstock Village Trustees amend, rescind or suspend this Order or until the Governor declares an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Vermont, whichever occurs first."
The village ordinance became law on July 9, 2020, and the Woodstock Town Select Board approved a mask resolution for areas outside the village. The governor enacted the statewide mandate on Aug. 1, 2020.
In other news, on Saturday, the state went forward with Step 2 of its Vermont Forward plan, a phased approach to a full reopening.
Step 2 eliminates capacity restrictions on all businesses, including restaurants and bars, and also takes away those restrictions for religious facilities and art centers. All sectors, except for a few, are now under the state's universal guidance.
This universal guidance includes five main tenets that employers, workers and customers should follow: stay home when sick; wear a mask; ensure six-foot social distancing; practice good hygiene; know the travel restrictions. The social distancing and mask requirements will remain in place until July 4.
With Saturday's change, health care, education, child care and summer camps are the only Vermont sectors which continue to have sector-specific guidance through the state.
Also as of Saturday, gathering requirements have eased. Now, indoor gatherings and events may include one unvaccinated person per 100 square feet, up to 150 people, plus any number of vaccinated persons. Outdoor gatherings and events can have up to 300 unvaccinated people, plus any number of vaccinated persons.
With vaccinations ever increasing, the state's COVID-19 positivity rate is at 1%, and on Friday, Vermont's 7-day case average was at its lowest since November. Over 60% of adult Vermonters are vaccinated.
"If we keep this up, and are between 70% and 85% of adults vaccinated by June 1, we'll be able to take our final step, when mandates become recommendations in July," Scott said on Friday.
— Gareth Henderson
Editor’s Note: This article was updated with the date when the Village Trustees plan to discuss the mask ordinance.
