MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Gov. Phil Scott Friday said a combination of a drop in COVID cases and the state’s rapid acceleration in vaccinations means some travel restrictions and visitation policies at long-term care facilities will be lifted starting next week.
The governor says that effective Tuesday, February 23, people who have waited two weeks after having their second dose of the vaccine do not need to quarantine after travel. The same goes for visitors to Vermont if they can prove they’ve been fully vaccinated.
Starting Friday, February 26th, those at long-term facilities who are fully-vaccinated can gather. Visitors will be allowed at facilities that do not currently have an outbreak. The state is leaving it up to the facilities to set specific rules.
Officials say 83,000 Vermonters have been vaccinated so far, with about half of them already having received the second dose. About 21,400 people in the 70-plus age group have signed up to get a shot. Governor Scott says the rapid pace of registrations in that group means they will likely open up registrations in the 65-plus group as early as the first week in March. Those with underlying health problems will follow. Health officials are encouraging people to set up an online account ahead of time, so you’re ready when the exact date is announced.
HEALTH UPDATE
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine says case numbers are dropping in Bennington County but the department is still monitoring Franklin County, where cases remain high. He blames community spread.
The state conducted weekend testing at ski resorts that showed three positive tests, though they still need to be confirmed.
As of Friday, Vermont health officials reported 97 new coronavirus cases for a total of 14,251. There have been a total of 193 deaths. The state’s percent positive seven-day average is 1.8%. A total of 322,613 people have been tested, 245 travelers are being monitored, 13,157 have completed monitoring, and 11,378 have recovered.
To honor the 193 Vermonters who have died over the past nine months of the pandemic, flags are again flying at half-staff on Friday.
NEW FOOD-DROP EVENTS COMING IN MARCH
AHS Secretary Mike Smith says the state is intervening in the federal Farmers to Families Food Box Program because of some trouble with that program. The state is partnering with the USDA and the Vermont Food Bank to get those boxes to Vermonters. They will soon be listing new food drop-off events for next month. You can register online or by calling 2-1-1.
VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD DC DEPLOYMENT OVER
Governor Scott Friday said the deployment of Vermont National Guard troops to Washington D.C. is now complete and they will be returning over the weekend. The Guard members, along with others from other states, were called up to protect the U.S. Capitol building following the riot on January 6.
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February 19, 2021 at 07:17PM
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Scott to loosen restrictions for travelers, long-term care facilities - WCAX
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