MONTPELIER — Warning that the state is “at a tipping point” for controlling of the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping schools and businesses open, Vermont is prohibiting multi-family parties and gatherings, shutting down bars and social clubs after Saturday night, and pausing recreational youth sports leagues, Gov. Phil Scott said Friday.
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According to the state’s COVID-19 data dashboard, 21 Vermonters are hospitalized with the virus, and three of those are in intensive care units.
Bars will be ordered closed as of 10 p.m. Saturday, Scott said during his twice-weekly press conference on Friday.
“I know this is incredibly discouraging, especially because many of you have worked so hard and we’ve had much success for so long,” Scott said. “But the fact is people are getting together, not being careful and letting their guard down, and that’s why we are in this position today.”
Scott said he took the actions based on data showing that social gatherings are where cases are growing. “We’re targeting areas we see are problematic,” he said.
The new requirements are on top of travel restrictions issued Tuesday ordering quarantines for persons traveling outside of the state, except for essential travel.
Returning college students must quarantine for 14 days, or seven days without symptoms and a negative PCR test.
Scott and Dr. Mark Levine, the state’s health commissioner, said data and contact tracing is showing that many new cases were transmitted about 12 days following Halloween parties, in addition to the outbreak traced to teams and families connected to Central Vermont Civic Center.
“Though we’ve been warning against these activities for weeks, they’re still happening,” Scott said. “We have no choice but to restrict social gatherings, whether in homes, bars or parking lots.”
Additional restrictions announced by Scott on Friday include closing restaurants for in-person dining after 10 p.m. as of Saturday; requiring restaurants, museums, gyms and other customer-oriented establishments to keep a daily log of all who enter; and requiring telecommuting for all workers who can.
Schools may continue in-person learning, and Education Secretary Daniel French said the Agency of Education is not planning to pre-emptively return schools to remote learning following the Thanksgiving holiday. He said the department would monitor the situation, but does not think a return to remote learning is in students’ best interests at the moment.
Scott also made it mandatory for residents to cooperate with the state’s contact tracers when they call seeking information. “We need people to be cooperative and honest when they call,” Scott said.
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