RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

• May 15, 2020: Vermont Governor Phil Scott extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order until June 15, pursuant to Addendum 14 to Executive Order 01-20 (“Be Smart, Stay Safe”). Governor Scott encouraged Vermonters to travel only as needed, and to continue to work from home. He also encouraged Vermonters to wear face masks when interacting with others from outside their homes. The order also allows limited resumption of campgrounds, marinas and lodging facilities (such as hotels and short term rentals), which are allowed to open as of May 22nd for Vermont residents, or those who have met the 14-day quarantine requirement.
• May 15, 2020: New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced a $400,000,000 Main Street Relief Fund program to provide emergency financial relief to New Hampshire small businesses due to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The prequalification application is due May 29, 2020 through the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Learn more about all of New Hampshire’s CARES Act Expenditures.
• May 13, 2020: Vermont Governor Phil Scott has announced that non-essential retail outlets may begin to gradually reopen on May 18th. All employees at the retail establishments must wear face coverings and maintain a distance of 6 feet. In addition, all retail outlets must stay under 25% of their fire safety occupancy, or one customer per 200 square feet, or 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater. Store operators must POST their temporary occupancy limit, and the method used to calculate it, on all entrances. Sign templates are available at www.accd.vermont.gov. The State encourages cashless/touchless transactions, and curbside pickup.  
• May 6, 2020: Vermont Governor Phil Scott today issued a new Play Smart and Play Safe order which allows Vermonters to begin to socialize in gatherings of 10 or fewer, preferably in outdoor settings. The order also allows businesses offering outdoor recreation to begin operations, effective May 7, 2020. This includes trail networks, golf courses and state/municipal parks, among other outdoor recreation businesses. Vermonters are required to “arrive, play and leave” with no congregation before or after activities. For more information, the full order can be found here.  

• May 1, 2020: Vermont Governor Phil Scott updated the Stay Home, Stay Safe order as Vermont begins the slow process of reopening. As of May 4, outdoor businesses may resume operations with up to 10 employees, as may manufacturing and distribution operations. Interior commercial construction may also commence, with no more than 10 workers, in isolated sections of buildings with dedicated entrances and sanitary facilities. Governor Scott also announced Phase 3, effective May 11, pursuant to which manufacturing, construction and distribution operations may restart with as few employees as necessary to permit full operations. These businesses must adopt an industry specific detailed reopening and training plan, addressing safety systems with respect to COVID-19, among other factors. Template plans are available from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development at www.accd.vermont.gov. Further details about the reopening can be found here. Addendum 12 to Executive Order 01-20, which outlines all of the requirements from May 1 can be found here.

• May 1, 2020: New Hampshire’s Governor, Chris Sununu, announces a new modified Stay-at-Home Order. Stay at Home 2.0 will be in effect until May 31, 2020. The universal reopening guidance serves as the bare minimum standard businesses must meet to maintain, or begin operations. In additional to the universal guidance, industry-specific protocols were issued to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Retail stores, barbers and hair salons and golf courses can begin to phase-in or expand services on May 11, 2020. New Hampshire restaurants can begin to offer outdoor dining on May 18, 2020, however seated indoor dining is not permitted and bar seating areas must remain closed.
• April 29, 2020: Furthering its efforts to narrow program eligibility, on April 28, 2020, the SBA extended its most recent guidance to “private companies with adequate sources of liquidity to support the business’s ongoing operations.” Read Scott Jaunich's write up.
• April 28, 2020: Following up on the VOSHA-provided training requirements included in Governor Scott's updated directives Friday for initial reopening criteria for manufacturers and other businesses, VOSHA has developed training and other materials on appropriate safety measures necessary to return to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These training and other materials were developed in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Read Beth Rattigan's full write up.

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