Updates to this phased approach are regularly occurring. Businesses are encouraged to check the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development website for the most current information as it relates to their business.

Phase 1

Phase 1.1: Outdoor Businesses

  • Those who exclusively or largely work outdoors (landscaping, painting, parks maintenance, recreation maintenance, delivery work, etc.) may resume operations.

Phase 1.2: Low or No-Contact Professional Services

  • Services operating with a single worker or small office environments – such as appraisers, realtors, municipal clerks, attorneys, property managers, pet care operators, and others – may operate if they can comply with the mandatory health and safety requirements listed above, with no more than 50 percent fire safety capacity, 1 person per 100 square feet, or a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors.

  • Remote work is required whenever possible.

  • Operators must maintain a log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department.

Phase 2

Phase 2.2: Farmers’ Markets

  • Farmers’ Markets may open with limited in-person operations to ensure consumer access to quality, healthy food. They must adhere to all municipal ordinances and rules, significantly alter business practices to eliminate crowds and reduce contact between vendors and customers (including a temporary transition away from shopping and social events to primarily food distribution), and are directed to follow any additional guidance issued by the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets.

Phase 3

Phase 3.1: Manufacturing, Construction, and Distribution Operations

  • Manufacturing, construction, and distribution operations that ceased operations for more than seven days during the state of emergency may restart with as few employees as necessary to permit full operations while maintaining compliance with the mandatory health and safety requirements.

  •  Interior residential and commercial construction may occur in occupied structures as of May 22.

Phase 4

Phase 4.1: Outdoor Recreation and Fitness

Vermonters are encouraged to participate in outdoor recreation and fitness activities, while limiting themselves to activities that can be enjoyed while adhering to social distancing, requiring low or no physical contact with anyone outside their immediate household. This includes (but is not limited to) biking, hiking, walking, running, and other outdoor fitness activities, golf, tennis, skate parks, and other outdoor no-contact sports, horseback riding, boating and paddle sports, fishing, hunting, and more.

  • These opportunities are for Vermonters, those from non-quarantine counties in New England and New York, and those who have met the quarantine requirements. Visitors from other states, and countries, must follow the State’s quarantine requirements before engaging in these activities.

  • Vermonters participating in outdoor recreation activities that are not physically strenuous are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. Masks may be removed for strenuous activities or exercise.

Note: Nothing in the Governor’s guidelines should be interpreted to override the need to continue to observe requirements for use of trails or property.

Phase 4.2: Outdoor Recreation Business, Facilities, and Organizations

Businesses, facilities, and organizations which support or offer outdoor recreation and fitness activities that require low or no direct physical contact may return to operation under all applicable health and safety requirements established in the Governor’s Emergency Order. These include (but are not limited to) state and municipal parks, recreation associations, trail networks, golf courses, big game check stations, and guided expeditions. Organizations, businesses, and facilities must adhere to the conditions below:

  • Require an “arrive, play, and leave” mentality. Groups may not gather before or after activities.

  • These opportunities are for Vermonters and those who have met the quarantine requirement from other states.

  • Implement measures, including signage and registration processes, that reinforce parks, facilities, trails, etc. are only open to Vermonters and those who have met the quarantine requirement.

  • Implement measures, including signage, discouraging contact sports and games. For example, outdoor basketball courts may be open to “shoot hoops” but full-contact games are discouraged.

  • Eliminate services or transactions that result in touch-points and/or staff-customer interactions that are not absolutely necessary. This includes prioritizing credit card, telephone, and electronic payment; cash may only be accepted as a last resort.

  • Reduce high contact surfaces and common areas, and disinfect rental equipment between users.

  • Play structures may be open to the public if they are properly signed reminding users not to use them if they or anyone in their household has been ill and to wash hands before and after use. Organizations are encouraged to provide hand sanitizer for users.

  • Limit gatherings to ensure physical distancing of six feet or more can occur. At no time may an outdoor gathering have more than 150 people. Large outdoor facilities such as trail networks, beaches, and municipal parks may have more than 150 people as long as there is no single gathering or event exceeding 150 people and everyone can maintain six feet of physical distancing.

  • Restrooms may only be opened if they can be regularly cleaned and disinfected per CDC guidelines.

  • Outdoor sporting events can occur with up to 150 people including participants and spectators as long as spectator areas can accommodate adequate social distancing of at least 100 square feet per person.

  • Pools and beaches may open if they can comply with this guidance. Due to the limited size of pools, organizations must follow the occupancy rules for event venues (50 percent fire capacity or 1 person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 outdoors).

Phase 5

Phase 5.1: Retail Operations

  • Non-essential retail operations are limited to 50% of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 customer per 200 square feet, or 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater. Operators must post their temporary occupancy limit, and which method was used to determine it, prominently on all entrances.

  • Cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.

  • Curbside pickup remains the preferred method of operation. When possible, retailers should take steps to schedule or stage customer visits, such as waiting in cars or outside, to ensure lower contact operations.

  • Organized outdoor markets, such as flea markets, should adhere to the farmers’ market guidance.

  • Pick-your-own agricultural producers, including berry farms and orchards, should adhere to retail guidance and follow the best practices identified in the pick-your-own restart plan.

Phase 5.2: Drive-In Operations

Drive-in operations including, but not limited to, movie theaters, fireworks displays, parades, restaurants, religious services, graduation ceremonies, and other gatherings may occur subject to the mandatory health and safety guidance above and:

  • Vehicles must be spaced a minimum of six feet apart.

  • People should stay in or near their vehicles to prevent interaction with other parties at drive-in operations.

  • Cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.

  • Restrooms on site must be cleaned and sanitized regularly.

  • Any concessions on site must be done via takeout or delivery or pursuant to any future food service guidance.

Phase 6

Phase 6.1: Lodging, Campgrounds, and Other Accommodations

  • Multi-room lodging operations and campgrounds may book 100 percent of rooms.

  • Lodging operations, short-term rentals, campgrounds and marinas may accept overnight reservations from Vermont residents, travelers from a county with a similar active COVID-19 caseload as identified by the ACCD, travelers from a high-risk area not identified as having a similar active COVID-19 caseload if they complete a quarantine in Vermont before arriving at the lodging property. Travelers may complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test – in their home state and enter Vermont without further quarantine restrictions if they drive directly from their home via their personal vehicle. Travelers may complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test – in a Vermont lodging establishment regardless of destination origin or manner of travel (travelers must stay in their quarantine location for the duration of quarantine other than to travel to and from a test site).

  • Operators must require a signed document or digital check box at the time of reservation and check-in from the guest(s) attesting they meet the quarantine requirement, have traveled from a county with similar active COVID-19 caseload per ACCD, or are an essential/authorized worker. The Agency of Commerce has provided a Certificate of Compliance form that meets this criteria. Operators may utilize an alternate method including those completed via electronic means such as email, or digital check box using specific language provided by the ACCD upon check-in.

  • Operators should recommend that out-of-state guests register with Sara Alert to get daily reminders via text, email, or phone from the Vermont Department of Health.

  • Any guests that exhibit signs of illness or COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival may not be allowed to check-in. If symptoms begin during their stay they must be asked to leave and return home if possible. If departure is not possible, guests must self-isolate for the remainder of their stay and the Vermont Department of Health must be contacted immediately.

  • All lodging and camping operations with more than 10 employees must complete and keep on file a reopening and training plan.

  • Lodging operations and campgrounds must alter normal operations to maximize social distancing of guests.

  • Check-in/out should be done via phone or electronic means to the greatest extent possible.

  • A room or accommodation must be thoroughly cleaned in accordance with CDC guidelines before another guest may use the accommodation.

  • Operators may accommodate events with 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or 1 person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors, not including staff.

  • Only one party should use an elevator at any given time.

  • Amenities may only be open if they are done so in accordance with the Executive Order and associated guidance. Amenities must be cleaned and sanitized between guest usage and are managed to restrict access to 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or one person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors.

  • Food service may only be offered in compliance with current restaurant guidance. Indoor dining is restricted to 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or one person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors.

  • Direct contact services (such as check-in, bell, valet, housekeeping, etc.) must be limited to the greatest extent possible.  Cashless / touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.

  • Operators must maintain an easily accessible log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department.

Phase 7

Phase 7.1: Restaurants, Catering, Food Service, and Bars

  • Signs must be prominently posted at all entrances stating that no-one with a fever, respiratory illness, or symptoms of COVID-19 is allowed on-premise.

  • Occupancy & Seating

    • Restaurants, catering, food service, and bars may allow 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or 1 person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors or their maximum licensed seating capacity, whichever is less.

    • Seating must be available for all patrons and seating must allow for physical distancing of at least 6 feet between seated dining parties. Standing is not allowed at this time. Customers must be seated while consuming food or beverages.

    • Bar seating may only be open if a physical barrier, such as a piece of plexiglass, separates the patrons from bartenders and the drink preparation area.

    • A counter area, such as a lunch counter or diner counter, may be open if there is at least six feet of space between customers and six feet between the customer and any waitstaff and no food or beverage production or storage occurs at the counter.

    • Reservations or call ahead seating is required. Reservations should be staggered to prevent congregating in waiting areas. Waiting areas must accommodate physical distancing.

  • For “fast food” takeout or counter service (no wait staff), no reservations or logs of customers are required.  Please note that an absence of logs may require a public announcement of possible exposure if a case is identified.

  • Consider using rolled silverware and eliminating table presets. Disposable/single use condiment packets are encouraged. Multi-use condiments and all other items for general use must be cleaned and sanitized between customers.

  • Use of shared food service (buffet style) and self-serve utensils, plates or napkins, is prohibited.

  • Customers are required to wear face coverings when not eating.

  • Restrooms should be monitored and routinely cleaned and soap dispensers regularly filled.

  • Disinfect all front-of-house surfaces including door handles, screens, phones, pens, keyboards; as well as tables, chairs and other areas of high hand contact frequently.

  • Licensed caterers and licensed manufacturers may follow this guidance for either outdoor or indoor Catering Event Permits and Special Event Permits in compliance with all Department of Liquor and Lottery permitting and license requirements.  These events must adhere to the event venue guidance, allowing 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or 1 person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors.

  • Bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, cideries, and tasting rooms may offer outdoor beverage service in compliance with this outdoor dining guidance, and the temporary outdoor consumption notification and permit stipulations established by the Department of Liquor and Lottery.

  • Operators must maintain an easily accessible log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department. This must include at least the name and phone number of one member of a party making a reservation with the date and time the person visited the establishment.

Phase 7.2: Close Contact Business Stage 1 (Only Hair Salons and Barber Shops)

Hair salons and barber shops may reopen subject to the mandatory health and safety requirements listed above, and:

  • Operations are limited to 25 percent of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 customer per 200 square feet; or 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater.

  • Additionally, operators should separate customers in chairs, to achieve physical distancing of six feet for any activity that will occur for more than a few moments (e.g. a retail transaction).

  • To the greatest extent possible, operations shall be by appointment only with specified time periods for each client. No walk-In appointments or at home visits (house calls) are allowed.

  • Operations may serve only Vermont residents or others who have completed the prescribed quarantine.

  • For retail sales, curbside pickup is preferred; no testing/demonstration of products is allowed, and cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.

  • Operators must maintain a log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department.

  • Only hair care services shall be offered during the first phase.

Phase 7.4: Religious facilities and Places of Worship

Religious facilities and places of worship may resume operations subject to the mandatory health and safety guidance above, and:

  • Outdoor, drive-in, and remote services remain the preferred method of operation.

  • Operations are limited to 50 percent of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 person per 100 square feet, whichever ensures physical distancing.

  • Physical distancing between household/family units should be observed.

  • Facial coverings are required.

Phase 8

Phase 8.1: Close Contact Businesses Stage 2

Gymnasiums, fitness centers, and similar exercise facilities, massage therapists, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors, indoor recreation facilities, businesses that require home visits such as cleaning services, and businesses that require limited close contact may resume in-person operations subject to the mandatory health and safety requirements, and:

  • Operations are limited to 25 percent capacity of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 person per 200 square feet; with a maximum of no more than 75 indoors and 150 outdoors.

  • Operators should separate customers to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet for any activity that will occur for more than a few moments (like a retail transaction).

  • Operations should be by appointment only with specified periods for each client to the greatest extent possible. No walk-in appointments are allowed.

  • Operations may only serve Vermont residents or those who have completed the 14-day quarantine.

  • Locker rooms, waiting areas, and other common areas should be restricted to the occupancy limits noted above.

  • For retail sales, curbside pickup is preferred.

  • Personal instructional service may occur within the maximum occupancy limits mentioned above at a commercial location or residence. Masks and physical distancing are encouraged.

  • No contact games or contact activity, except for those activities essential to the safety of participants, during practices are currently allowed.

  • Operators must maintain a log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required.

Phase 8.2: Overnight Summer Camps and Limited Residential Summer College Programming

Overnight summer camps and limited residential summer college programming shall operate in accordance with Health Guidance for Childcare Programs, Summer Programs and Afterschool Programs. Recognizing the unique ability of residential programs to control and monitor the activity of their participants, the following supplemental guidance shall be in effect June 7:

  • Overnight summer camp programs may operate at 75 percent their bed capacity.

  • Limited residential college programming refers to college programming where students are living on a campus for no more than 8 weeks with no more than 50 participants.

  • Overnight summer camps and limited residential summer college programs may operate in groups of greater than 25 as long as physical distancing occurs between individuals.

  • Programs are encouraged, but not required, to break larger camps into small groups of not more than 25 individuals in a single pod, including staff and counselors, to reduce the risk of camp-wide exposure. Wherever possible, the same staff should remain with the same group each day.

  • All out-of-state staff and out-of-state campers must complete one of four available quarantine protocols for overnight summer camps and limited residential college programming (each camp is responsible for ensuring their campers and staff comply).

  • Campers and staff must wear cloth face coverings whenever in the presence of others, except in those exceptions identified in the Governor’s Executive Order, and policies must be in place to promote physical distancing.

  • Camps shall prohibit non-essential visits from family and friends.

  • Staff and other visitors who are not staying at the camp for the duration of the camp shall not have close physical contact with campers or staff.

  • Camps must maintain a log of all staff, campers and visitors, including their contact information, in the event contact tracing is required by the Department of Health.

8.3 Indoor Arts, Culture and Entertainment

  • Libraries, galleries, museums, theaters and other indoor arts, culture and entertainment organizations are limited to 50 percent of approved fire safety occupancy; or 1 customer per 100 square feet with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Operators must post their temporary occupancy limit, and which method was used to determine it, prominently on all entrances.

  • Cashless/touch-less transactions are strongly preferred.

  • Curbside pickup remains the preferred method of operation. When possible, organizations should take steps to schedule or stage customer visits, such as waiting in cars or outside, to ensure lower contact operations.

  • Organizations should close or remove high-touch entertainment features, including arcades and playgrounds.

Phase 9

Phase 9.1: Sports/Organized Sports Including Youth Leagues, Adult Leagues, Practices, Games, and Tournaments

For Sports guidance, visit the ACCD website

Phase 10

Phase 10.1: Occupancy Limits for Event Venues (Weddings, Funerals, Parties, Concerts, Large Sporting Events)

Event venues, arts, culture, and entertainment venues, and restaurants serving the public may accommodate:

  • 50 percent of approved fire safety occupancy to the set maximum below; OR

  • One customer/person per 100 square feet of customer-facing space to the set maximum below if no fire safety occupancy is established.

  • Operations may not exceed 75 total people for inside operations or events regardless of their fire safety occupancy or square footage calculation; AND

  • Operations may not exceed 150 people for outside operations or events regardless of their fire safety occupancy or square footage calculation.

  • Staff and vendors are not counted in the maximum number.

  • Food service operations at events must comply with the Restaurant, Catering, Food Service, and Bars guidance.

  • Outdoor service, events, and gatherings are strongly preferred

  • Event organizers must maintain an easily accessible log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department. This must include at least the name and phone number of every attendee, including staff.

    Special guidance for large outdoor venues (race tracks, baseball and football stadiums, fairgrounds, outdoor concert venues)

  • Large outdoor event venues that can usually accommodate more than 1,000 people may be able to exceed the 150 maximum limit by creating multiple distinct event locations that meet the event criteria.

  • These distinct event locations within the same event must be separated by a physical barrier (fencing, rope, etc.) and at least 25-feet.

  • Signage must be prominently posted prohibiting groups from interacting with other groups.

  • These venues must ensure that the 150 people in each distinct event location do not interact with one another by providing separate parking areas, concessions and vendors, bathrooms, and entrances/exits.

  • All events must be pre-ticketed. No walk-up customers are allowed.

  • Event venues must maintain guest lists by grouping and information about what vendors had contact with each grouping for 30 days to assist in contact tracing.

  • An event venue (indoors or outdoors) may host multiple maximum groupings through the day if the groups do not interact with one another. For example – an outdoor craft fair could schedule multiple different groups of 150 throughout the day to come to a show as long as they staggered the arrivals, ensured all members of a group departed before the second group entered, and followed event guidance. Vendors would not count as part of the group of 150.

Special guidance for large indoor businesses (over 17,100 square feet)

  • Indoor businesses/spaces that exceed 17,100 feet, have 10’ ceilings or more, have no full walls interrupting the space, and have physical distancing plans in effect to prevent people from being within 6’ of each other, may have up to 150 people in the same space under the following conditions:
    • Capacity must remain below 50 percent fire occupancy.
    • The business/organization must break the group of 150 into separate units not to exceed 75.
    • The business must have a plan in place to ensure that no mixing between groupings occurs. For example, a bowling alley that measured 17,500 square feet could rope off half the lanes and have two separate groupings of 75 on each half of the lanes. Low-duration and low-contact interactions between groups (such as walking to a bathroom) are permitted if strict 6-foot physical distancing can be maintained.
    • The business must put systems in place to separate the groups, including clear signage and physical barriers such as ropes, prohibiting contact with people in other groupings.
    • Businesses must collect a name and phone number for all guests that includes the date and time the guest was in the space and maintain the logs for 30 days in the event of contact tracing.
  • An event venue (indoors or outdoors) may host multiple maximum groupings throughout the day if the groups do not interact with one another. For example – a craft fair could schedule multiple different groups of 150 (if outdoors) or 75 (if indoors) throughout the day to come to a show as long as they staggered the arrivals, ensured all members of a group departed before the second group entered, and followed event guidance. Vendors would not count as part of the group of 75/150.

Phase 11

11.1 College and University Campus Learning

Colleges and universities may provide in-person campus learning in accordance with the Mandatory Guidance for College and University Campus Learning.

Business Customer & Public Mask Use

As of Saturday, August 1, 2020, Vermonters and visitors are required to wear masks or cloth facial coverings over their nose and mouth any time they are in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, where they come in contact with others from outside their households, especially in congregate settings, and where it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet.

Masks or cloth facial coverings are not required when someone is engaged in strenuous exercise or activity, for anyone under the age of 2, any child or adult with a medical or developmental issue or challenge that is complicated or irritated by a facial covering, anyone with difficulty breathing or as further set forth in guidance issued by VDH. A person who declines to wear a mask or cloth face covering because of a medical or developmental issue, or difficulty breathing, shall not be required to produce documentation, or other evidence, verifying the condition.

Businesses and non-profit and government entities shall implement measures notifying customers or clients of the requirement to wear masks or facial coverings, which may include, but shall not be limited to, posting signage stating that masks or cloth facial coverings are required and denial of entry or service to customers or clients who decline to wear masks or facial coverings.

Guidelines on Cross-State Travel

  • Vermonters may travel outside of Vermont to counties across the Northeast that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont (less than 400 cases per million) and return without quarantining if they do so in a personal vehicle (including private air travel). Residents of other states who live in counties across the Northeast that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont (less than 400 cases per million) may enter the state for leisure without quarantining. Travelers are encouraged to register with Sara Alert upon arrival to Vermont.

  • The State of Vermont has determined that any county with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents meets this criteria. The ACCD will post an updated map and list each Tuesday identifying quarantine and non-quarantine counties.

  • Residents from a non-quarantine county may travel to Vermont without quarantine restrictions if they travel directly to Vermont in their personal vehicle. This includes overnight travel, commuting for work, leisure visits and recreation. Travelers are encouraged to register with Sara Alert upon arrival to Vermont to get two weeks of daily reminders to check for common symptoms of COVID-19. Travelers must remember to follow any travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in their home upon return.

  • Travelers, including Vermonters, that visit or are from a quarantine county must still quarantine for 14-days upon entrance into Vermont or quarantine for at least seven days upon entrance into Vermont and receive a negative COVID-19 test.

  • People traveling for essential purposes, including work, do not need to quarantine. Essential travel includes travel for personal safety, medical care, care of others, parental shared custody, for food, beverage or medicine, or to perform work for businesses that are currently allowed to operate. The current State of Emergency requires employers to use remote work and telework whenever possible to avoid unnecessary work travel. Businesses and employees must only travel for work-related trips when absolutely necessary.  Individuals engaged in a daily commute to and from their job are expressly exempt from the need to quarantine by Executive Order.

  • Persons should not travel to, from, or within Vermont if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or if they meet the criteria for needing to Isolate or Quarantine.

  • Please review the travel FAQ.

Mandatory Health & Safety Requirements for all Business, Nonprofit, and Government Operations

  • Employees shall not report to, or be allowed to remain at, a work or job site if sick or symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell).

  • Employees must observe strict social distancing of six feet while on the job. Businesses and non-profit or government entities shall ensure customers observe strict social distancing of six feet while on location, to the extent possible.

  • Limit the occupancy of designated common areas, such as break rooms and cafeterias, so that occupants maintain strict social distancing of no less than six feet per individual. The employer shall enforce the occupancy limit and require employees to wipe down their area after use or shall ensure cleaning of the common areas at regular intervals throughout the day.

  • Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask.

  • Businesses and nonprofit and government entities may decline service to individuals who are not wearing a mask. This includes refusing service to those who are exempt from the mask mandate, however, the business must provide an alternate way for those unable to wear a mask to access the business, such as offering curbside pickup, delivery, or other innovative solutions.

  • Employees must have easy and frequent access to soap and water or hand sanitizer during duration of work, and hand washing or hand sanitation is required frequently including before entering, and leaving, job sites.

  • All common spaces and equipment, including bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces and doors, tools and equipment, and vehicles must be cleaned regularly and, when possible, prior to transfer from one person to another, in accordance with CDC guidance.

  • Prior to the commencement of each work shift, all employees (except those that work alone and have no contact with other people during their shift such as those who work from home remotely) shall complete a health survey either in-person at the worksite or prior to arriving at the worksite. This screening survey shall require an employee to verify that he or she has no symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, congestion or runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) before they enter the workplace.  It is strongly recommended that a temperature check be conducted by the employee at home or a non-contact temperature check be conducted by the employer or the employee at the worksite. Employers may create systems that work best for their unique operations – but must be able to demonstrate, if asked by employees or state health officials, how the system ensures employees have been pre-screened for symptoms before they enter the workplace.

  • Signs must be posted at all entrances clearly indicating that no one may enter if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.

  • When working inside, open doors, and windows to promote airflow to the greatest extent possible and limit the number of people occupying a single indoor space.

  • No more than three people shall occupy one vehicle when conducting work. Mass transit, taxis, ride-sharing, and public safety are exempt from this rule.

  • No symptomatic or COVID-19 positive workers are allowed on site and any worker(s) who have contact for more than 15 minutes with a worker or any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days.

  • All operations shall designate a health officer on-site at every shift responsible for ensuring compliance with the Executive Order and the Addenda thereto and applicable ACCD Guidance. This person shall have the authority to stop or modify activities to ensure work conforms with the mandatory health and safety requirements.

  • All businesses and non-profit and government entities shall encourage and facilitate telework among those employees with the capacity to work remotely when practical without impeding productivity. Employers shall accommodate the needs of high risk individuals, those workers who may have child care needs which cannot be met due to the closure of schools or child care facilities for reasons relating to COVID-19, and those individuals with concerns about personal health circumstances.

  • All employees, including those already working (except healthcare workers, first responders, and others already trained in infection control, personal protection/universal precautions), must complete, and employers must document, a training on mandatory health and safety requirements as provided by VOSHA, or another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard.

  • All businesses that have been closed for seven or more days during the state of emergency must complete and keep on file a reopening and training plan (businesses with fewer than 10 employees at any physical location are not required to create such a plan, however, they must follow all other guidelines and employees must take the VOSHA training). VOSHA and the Agency of Commerce have provided a template at https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/business/restart.

  • For all mass transit customers/riders (in addition to the mandatory requirement for operators and staff) face covering are mandatory on public transit conveyances and in stations and terminals. Private charter buses and large multi-passenger vans should only be used if density is reduced to allow for social distancing. This includes reducing capacity to 50 percent, leaving every other seat empty, and every other row open. Cloth face coverings must be worn.

[button link=”https://accd.vermont.gov/news” size=”large” bg_color=”#005e2f”]Read the Latest Phased Restart Guidance[/button]

Updated: 10/15/2020