LOCAL

Traveling to Vermont? Here's what you should know during the coronavirus pandemic

Elizabeth Murray
Burlington Free Press

Vermont prides itself on being a tourist destination during the warmer months of the year. 

But, in light of the new coronavirus pandemic, and the need to reopen the state slowly, annual tourism and recreation activities may either be put on hold or canceled completely. 

Gov. Phil Scott has released new guidance on the circumstances under which people outside of Vermont can visit the state. Some of this guidance also applies to Vermont residents who spent the winter out-of-state and are now coming back. 

Gov. Phil Scott speaks to reporters at the Statehouse in Montpelier on April 25, 2019.

In mid-May, Scott told Vermonters that the guidance isn't meant to create an "us vs. them" mentality for people coming from outside Vermont. Instead, he said, it is meant to ensure Vermont continues its progress on containing COVID-19, the official name of the disease related to the coronavirus that first started to affect people at the end of 2019.

"We can be both neighborly and compassionate while staying safe," Scott said during a news conference last week.

He added, "Our borders are not closed."

Can out-of-staters visit Vermont right now?

According to Agency of Commerce guidance, commuter or day trip traffic by those who travel between Vermont and neighboring states is authorized for:

  • Essential travel, such as essential work, health care and groceries,
  • Currently authorized daily work.
  • Family visitation.
  • Recreation.

Those participating in essential work or currently authorized work that requires an overnight stay may use the state’s lodging, camping and short-term rental properties if the person certifies the following:

  • That they are authorized to work in Vermont.
  • They have not been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
  • They have not experienced COVID-19-like symptoms in the past 24 hours (fever above 100.4 degrees, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache or new loss of taste or smell).

Other travel to and from Vermont is restricted and subject to quarantine requirements.

Vermont drivers have been ranked some of the best in the country. A study conducted by Car Insurance Comparison compiled statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranked each state in terms of fatal car wrecks and their causes, including drunk driving, speeding, and careless driving.

What is required when coming into the state?

As of June 15, those traveling from out of state in a personal vehicle who make no stops on the way are allowed to quarantine in their home state before they travel, instead of doing so when they arrive. 

Since June 8, out-of-state travelers from 55 "trusted travel areas" across New York and New England have been able to visit without a quarantine period.

Details:Gov. Scott allows indoor restaurant dining, lifts some travel restrictions

Any county with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents will meet the criteria. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development will publish an updated map and list each Monday by 5 p.m. "identifying quarantine and non-quarantine counties throughout New England and New York," the agency's website states.

Previous regulations required those entering Vermont for reasons other than day traffic or essential/authorized work quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

What does quarantine mean?

According to the Health Department, people must stay inside their home and away from others for 14 days if they believe they were exposed to a person with COVID-19 or if they have recently come to Vermont from outside the state.

Department guidance says that people in quarantine cannot:

  • Go to work.
  • Go outside for walks, bike rides or hikes.
  • Go out for groceries or other essential items. 

People in quarantine must also try to stay in a separate room of their home from others, if possible, the Health Department guidance said. 

Can I end quarantine early?

People who have been in quarantine for at least seven days and have not experienced any symptoms can get tested for COVID-19. If their test comes back negative, they can end quarantine early, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine.

What about when lodgings reopen?

Lodging operations, short-term rentals, campgrounds and marinas in Vermont will officially reopen May 22. They can take reservations now for after May 22, according to state guidance. 

These businesses may accept overnight reservations from Vermonters, people who have met the 14-day quarantine requirement and people participating in essential work or currently authorized work. People coming from out-of-state who are not participating in these types of work must quarantine for 14 days before traveling to Vermont.

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, left speaks at a news conference announcing the first case of coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Vermont. He was joined by Gov. Phil Scott, right, and several other state officials at the announcement in Waterbury on Sunday, March 8, 2020.

Business operators may require a copy of a Vermont driver’s license or a signed document from the guest attesting he or she has met the quarantine requirement. Operators are required to maintain a log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in case the Health Department needs to contact the guests for contact tracing, the Commerce and Community Development Agency said.

Are there any consequences for failing to follow requirements?

Yes, legal consequences for failing to follow Scott's executive orders are possible at both the civil and criminal levels. As the state has continued reopening, these enforcement tools have not changed, according to Vermont State Police spokesman Adam Silverman.

Vermonters who believe a business or individual is not complying with the executive orders can call their local police or can report non-compliance through the Department of Public Safety's online Executive Order Reporting Tool.

Police typically first ask for voluntary compliance and help educate business owners and individuals on the governor's order. If noncompliance continues, the police department can refer the matter to the Attorney General's Office for possible legal action, the Attorney General's Office has said. 

According to the Attorney General's Office, civil enforcement could include:

  • Bringing an action in civil court to compel compliance. 
  • Fining the individual or business $1,000 per day for each day non-compliance continues.
  • Penalties or remedies provided by local municipal ordinances or regulations that are specifically authorized by the municipality for the enforcement of the governor's COVID-19 executive orders.

Criminal enforcement is only meant to be used as a last resort for gaining compliance, the Attorney General's Office said. Penalties could include a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in prison.

Need more information?

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.

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