Vermont clarifies rule on gatherings
Winter is on its way, as seen here along Barber Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
After a flood of inquiries from the public, the state of Vermont clarified its recently announced restriction on social gatherings on Friday.
The rule banned all multi-household gatherings as of Nov. 13, following a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Vermont. But the restriction also prompted a number of questions from Vermonters, as Gov. Phil Scott noted during a press conference.
On Friday, the governor clarified that the measure allows people in an unsafe home situation to leave and take shelter with another household. Furthermore, a person living alone may gather with another household to stay connected with their immediate family, but that individual must still limit contacts with other people. Finally, outdoor fitness activities involving no more than two people from different households are allowed.
"This means you can take a walk with a friend, but you have to maintain your distance and wear a mask," Scott said.
He also emphasized that other restrictions that began last weekend remain in effect, including the suspension of all recreational sports activity that isn’t publicly sanctioned. Scott again urged all Vermonters to limit their contacts with others.
"I know this is hard, and I know many feel that after eight months, they've learned how to get together without risk," Scott said. "But that's just not the case, according to our contact-tracing data, which is why we have to do this, and do it now."
He pointed out that the CDC is recommending people avoid travel and avoid gathering with other households for Thanksgiving. As of Thursday, Vermont saw 148 new COVID-19 cases and 24 outbreaks; the daily case count was 146 for Friday.
Also at Friday's press briefing, Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said it was too soon to see any impact on case numbers from the restrictions put in place late last week. That impact may take many weeks, he noted, and current cases result from exposures that occurred before these new rules went into effect.
"Cases will peak before they can come down, but with a little patience and a lot of compliance (with public health guidance), I'm hopeful that we can make a real difference," Levine said.
He said he's heard from a number of Vermonters that they're noticing fewer people out and about, and he's heard multiple accounts of people changing their Thanksgiving plans.
Levine also said Vermont's contact-tracing team is working around the clock, and the state is adding to its tracing staff.
"As we see case counts mount, it's easy to think the worst, that there's no end in sight, but this is not a runaway train, yet," Levine said. "It's picking up speed, but we can get it under control if we all work together."
— Gareth Henderson
Editor’s note: The language describing the suspension of recreational sports activity was clarified to note that this restriction involves sports not publicly sanctioned by the Vermont Principals Association.
