MARSHFIELD, Vt. (AP) - Gov. Phil Scott announced more gradual steps Friday to reopen the pandemic-stricken economy by expanding the number of employees allowed to work at a manufacturing, construction and distribution business from five to 10 if the workers follow safety requirements.
“I’m pleased to say we’re able to get thousands more Vermonters back to work starting Monday,” the Republican governor said.
The workers must stay 6 feet apart and be screened, including for their body temperature, at the start of their shift, and wear cloth face coverings around others. Those businesses may expand to full operation May 11 if they comply with “additional, stringent” requirements, Scott said at his news briefing.
“Our ability to limit the spread of this virus is key to reopening,” Scott said. “As you now, there’s no playbook on any of this, so we focused on sectors like manufacturing and construction that have controlled environments, open space and are accustomed to following rules to provide for safe work sites. They’ll be able to set an example for others as we look to do more in other areas.”
But he warned that the state, which has seen relatively few cases of the coronavirus, “can’t declare victory yet,” must remain vigilant and must recognize that other states nearby are still dealing with massive outbreaks.
Scott also announced Friday a new requirement that public transit employees and customers must wear cloth masks.
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MAY DAY RALLIES
Several May Day rallies were held around Vermont on Friday to show solidarity with essential workers amid the outbreak.
Community groups and labor unions held car caravans Friday in Burlington and Brattleboro on International Workers Day. At the Burlington event, participants drove by the University of Vermont Medical Center, the Vermont Department of Labor building, the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and the Hannaford Supermarket.
Some of the event sponsors were Migrant Justice, the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Vermont Workers Center, Rural Vermont, Vermont Interfaith Action, and the Burlington Tenants Union.
Other coronavirus-related developments in Vermont:
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FARMERS MARKETS
Vermont farmers markets were allowed to open Friday under new state guidelines to prevent people from congregating at them.
The markets are required to be outdoors, and customers are encouraged to do preorders for pickups and discouraged from in-person shopping.
The markets must also suspend entertainment and children’s activities, and no craft or jewelry vendors are permitted.
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THE NUMBERS
The Vermont Health Department on Friday reported 13 new cases of people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and one more death.
A total of 879 people have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began, and 50 people in Vermont have died.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.
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