Craftsbury Closes Cross-Country Ski Trails

Craftsbury Outdoor Center closed its nordic trails Sunday because the nonprofit said skiers weren't practicing social distancing.

The center had intended to remain open through the end of the season but felt compelled to close "in the best interest of the health of the COC community."

The rationale was posted in an online update Saturday. The post said skiers "are not keeping 'social distance' (6 ft) from each other ... are gathering in groups to socialize" and are traveling to the trails "from outside our VT community."

"This does not seem like a good idea at this time," the post stated.

Trails will no longer be groomed, and the center asked that skiers avoid them.

Sanders Raises $2 Million for Charities Responding to Coronavirus Outbreak

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has harnessed his massive fundraising list to support nonprofits addressing the coronavirus outbreak.

His presidential campaign announced Saturday morning that over the previous 48 hours it had raised $2 million from emails and texts messages sent to supporters. The money will go to five organizations: Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, the One Fair Wage Emergency Fund and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

“What we’ve seen in the last two days is the definition of fighting for someone you don’t know,” Sanders’ digital fundraising director, Robin Curran, said in a written statement.

The senator made the move as his own campaign plans remain up in the air. After suffering a third week of disappointing election results on Tuesday, his campaign manager said Wednesday that Sanders was planning to “assess” his role in the race.

Sanders returned to his Burlington home late this week and held an online roundtable Friday night from his campaign office.

“In this extraordinary moment in American and world history, we have got to think outside the box in a way that we have never done,” he said during the roundtable. “This is an unprecedented moment, and we have got to think in an unprecedented way.”

Diocese Limits Funerals to 25 People, Suspends Public Mass

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington will limit the size of all funerals to 25 people, Bishop Christopher Coyne announced Friday.

All public masses are suspended effective Friday, March 20, as well.

The statewide diocese had already announced that funerals could only be attended by immediate family, but it realized a more specific limit needed to be implemented to adhere to Gov. Phil Scott's ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.

"Initially, we had immediate family only in our statement and heard from other dioceses that there were well over 100 people that all claimed they were immediate family at a recent funeral. We changed our statement to 25 so it is well below Gov Scott’s no more than 50," Ellen Kane, a Burlington diocesan spokesperson wrote in an email to Seven Days. "The Catholic Community is being vigilant about promoting social distancing for the well-being of everyone in the community but also understands that things like funerals cannot be avoided."

Baptisms and weddings may still take place but will also be limited to immediate family and no more than 25 people.

The People's United Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay has been postponed until October 25.

Normally held on Memorial Day weekend and originally scheduled for May 24, the marathon draws 7,500 runners and 20,000 spectators to the Burlington area.

"Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Coronavirus, the health risks to our community will not allow us to proceed with the event as scheduled," event organizers said in a statement.

Runners have four options to consider: They can participate on October 25, defer until 2021 or 2022, donate their registration fee to RunVermont's youth programs or run a self-timed virtual marathon anytime between May 24 and October 25.

For the latter, runners need only "take a selfie or two" at the end and submit the photos, along with a picture of their GPS watch, to show their distance and time. Race organizers will mail them a shirt and medal.

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UVM Will Host Virtual Campus Tours for Admitted Students

Normally at this time of year, the University of Vermont would play host to groups of admitted students for a campus visit. But in the age of COVID-19, UVM is going digital.

President Suresh Garimella announced this week that would-be Catamounts are invited on a virtual tour.

"You will hear from our faculty and current students, and we’ll be ready to answer your questions and show you your classrooms, labs, and other facilities that set a UVM education apart," Garimella wrote in a statement. "But your safety, and that of our community, is our main priority, and given current circumstances, doing this online makes the most sense."

UVM is offering five days in April for students to choose from. The March 30 date is already booked.

Now you can have an alcoholic beverage with your takeout meal.

Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order Thursday that allows restaurants to provide “to-go” orders of cocktails, beer and wine. Restaurants can also deliver those drinks.

The order also allows licensed retail stores to deliver beer, wine and liquor. The directive takes effect immediately and will continue through April 15, at which point the governor and state officials will “assess the emergency and determine whether to amend or extend this Directive.”

No visitors allowed. That's the message from the University of Vermont Medical Center, which has changed its visitation policy twice in less than a week to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, the hospital reduced its policy from small groups to just two visitors per patient. Now, no visitors are allowed except for patients in labor and delivery or same-day surgery, for children, and for people with disabilities, according to a press release issued Wednesday evening.

Visitors will be asked if they have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing and must wash their hands before entering the hospital. In addition, only ADA service animals are allowed; therapy and support animals are not.

"Each day we are taking the necessary steps to provide safe, high quality health care and to reduce the spread of COVID-19, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Vermont Department of Health,” UVM Medical Center president Steven Leffler said in a statement. “We understand these changes are unsettling for some, however they are critical given the seriousness of this pandemic.”

The policy goes into effect at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

PUC Issues Moratorium on Utility Disconnections Through April 30

Vermonters will be spared disconnection of electricity, natural gas, cable TV and internet by any of the state's regulated utilities until at least April 30.

The Vermont Public Utility Commission directed utilities on Wednesday to halt disconnections as the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus grows under state restrictions that have closed workplaces, curtailed gatherings and led to a spike in unemployment claims.

"Given that many Vermonters will experience a loss of income as a result of these restrictions and will spend considerable time at home for the foreseeable future, the Commission decided it was imperative to protect the public good by halting utility disconnections that might place Vermonters at risk," the commission announcement stated.

The order noted that some utilities have already agreed to freeze disconnections for nonpayment. It expanded on the voluntary steps and came after Vermont Legal Aid filed a petition Monday on behalf of elderly, low-income and disabled Vermonters.

DCF Preparing to Move Foster Children as Coronavirus Spreads

As the coronavirus outbreak continues in Vermont, the state’s Department for Children and Families is preparing for disruptions to its foster programs.

Commissioner Ken Schatz told lawmakers Wednesday afternoon that his department is concerned about the health of foster parents who are older or have underlying medical conditions, making them more susceptible to COVID-19.

“We are aware that we may need to move children to make sure we both protect the children and foster parents or residential providers,” he told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a meeting by phone. “To that end — I’ll be straightforward with you — we are asking our staff to look at the placement of children and think about who really needs to be in [foster] care and who can safely be returned to their biological parent.”

Schatz said he was unaware of any situations thus far requiring the relocation of children in DCF custody, but he said he was seeking “capacity for some flexibility” in the event that it’s necessary.

Dentists Urged to Postpone Nonurgent Appointments

The Vermont State Dental Society has recommended that dental practices only perform emergency procedures until at least March 30 as the coronavirus continues to spread.

The society, which represents most of the 400-plus licensed dentists in the state, issued the notice on March 16, encouraging providers to cancel appointments for nonurgent procedures.

"Dental offices are not required by law or by us to close," executive director Vaughn Collins said Wednesday. "It's a voluntary decision, but it's driven by the abundance of caution and safety to prevent the spread of disease."

Collins said he believes most practices are heeding the advice. He said if a patient has a dental emergency — such as an abscess or pain — they should call their dental office. Patients should not go to the emergency room, Collins added.

Though his recommendation was issued to limit person-to-person contact, Collins said the nationwide shortage of N95 surgical masks only complicates matters.

The American Dental Association, which issued its recommendations after the Vermont society did, says dentists should curtail nonessential operations until at least April 6. Collins expects the Vermont society will likely follow suit.

"This is an evolving challenge right now," he said. "We’re all on unstable ground."

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Department of Labor Puts Unemployment Form Online

Amid mass layoffs due to the coronavirus, the Vermont Department of Labor has published a new intake form so that people can establish an initial claim online. The department has also tripled its staff at its Unemployment Insurance Claims Center and has added an additional phone line.

The state says people should first try 1-877-214-3330. They can then try calling 1-888-807-7072.

“During these increasingly uncertain times, it is the responsibility of our State to assist those Vermonters impacted,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a press release announcing the changes Wednesday. “As the situation continues to develop, it will be imperative upon our state’s Government to seek any and all methods to help Vermonters through this crisis.”

Seven Days reported Tuesday that phone lines at the call center had been jammed in recent days as people temporarily or permanently laid off from Vermont businesses — especially restaurants — tried to call.

The United States' border with Canada will be closed for nonessential travel to stem the spread of coronavirus, President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday morning.

"We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!" the president wrote.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that the country's borders would be closed to non-Canadian citizens or permanent residents, but open for American citizens. That appears to have changed with Trump’s tweet.

At a press conference Wednesday morning, Gov. Phil Scott said that he hadn't heard any details about Trump's directive. The governor said he hopes that Vermont health care workers who live in Canada would be considered essential and be permitted to cross the border.

"I would assume that, in conjunction with Canada, this is the right step to take, understanding that we have a lot of trade and we still rely on a lot of employees from there," Scott said.

Last year, nearly 2.5 million people crossed into Vermont from Canada, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Mehuron's Market Gives Vulnerable Shoppers Some Alone Time

Mehuron's Market in Waistfield is doing its bit to encourage social distancing.

The grocery store has invited patrons more vulnerable to coronavirus to shop as soon as the doors open, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. In messages sent on Instagram and Front Porch Forum on Monday, the market asked other shoppers to come after 9 a.m.

The system allows older patrons or those with underlying health conditions time to shop the market when it's the cleanest and fully stocked.

"We've just been trying to figure out how to be as responsible as we can," Mehuron's co-owner Bruce Hyde said in an interview.

It's "an ask" and not an attempt to regulate who comes into the store, he added.

"It's not something that's really enforceable," Hyde said. "Basically, the idea was to encourage folks that are maybe not in the high-risk group to wait until after that first hour."

It appeared to be working Tuesday morning, Hyde said, and traffic in the store during the first hour was "much more sparse" than it had been.

"I'm optimistic it's making a difference," he said. 

The market has been slammed, like most grocery stores, but has been able to keep up with demand, Hyde said.

"We're good at getting food on the shelves, that's our business," he said. "We know how to satisfy demand. It's all this other stuff that's really difficult to wrestle with." 

University of Vermont Health Suspends Elective Surgeries

The University of Vermont Health Network has suspended elective surgeries and procedures to free up hospital resources during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The plan will limit person-to-person interactions and free up much-needed acute-care beds and supplies, the health system said in a press release Tuesday.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, especially when it comes to protecting the health and safety of our patients and our staff,” health network CEO John Brumsted said in the statement. “While temporarily suspending elective procedures is disruptive, this decision is absolutely critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and it allows our health care providers more time and space to respond to this pandemic.”

Health providers will contact patients who have appointments "that can be safely delayed or deferred, without threat to the immediate health and safety of the patient," the statement says.

Otherwise, patients should assume their appointment stands. The network will reassess the protocol in the coming weeks.

Green Mountain Transit is offering fare-free bus service until April 1 to ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19.

In a statement Tuesday, the company urged passengers who can stay home to do so.

“We’re here to get nurses, doctors, child care workers, first responders, transit workers, and anyone else who needs us where they need to go, safely,” the company wrote.

The free rides are intended to prevent passenger interactions with bus drivers to keep everyone healthy, the company explained. To that end, drivers will allow passengers to use the rear bus door whenever possible.

“GMT’s goal is to maintain service for passengers who need it most,” interim general manager Jon Moore said in the statement. “The goal is to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and GMT is putting strategies in place to sanitize buses and our facilities. As a community, we all have a responsibility to take care of one another.”

GMT also announced Tuesday that it will suspend the Mad River Valley service and the Neighborhood Special route in Chittenden County. The Stowe Mountain Road Shuttle will run hourly from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will end March 31 for the season. The Capitol Shuttle will not operate this week.

At a press conference Monday, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said that the city will pause disconnections for customers who can't pay their utility bills, and he called on landlords to halt evictions for people "who can supply documentation of COVID-related economic hardship."

The Burlington Housing Authority, Champlain Housing Trust and Cathedral Square have already agreed to this goal, Weinberger said.

Members of the Burlington Tenants Union, through organizer Charles Winkleman, said in a statement that the mayor's order didn't go far enough.

"Mayor Weinberger's response today made it clear he does not have the courage to lead through this crisis nor the empathy to alleviate fears of evictions and protect tenants and unsheltered residents, the two most vulnerable populations," the statement says. 

The tenants union is calling for a moratorium on evictions and is asking the city to requisition empty dwelling units and hotels rooms "so that homeless folks can be kept safe, along with providing food and other necessities," the statement says.

The city has canceled all in-person programming at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington City Arts, and the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department.

Beginning Wednesday, Burlington will close or restrict access to city buildings until at least April 6, the mayor said. In addition, all city board and commission meetings are canceled through March except City Council and Board of Finance meetings, which will be held virtually.

The city will post detailed updates on its COVID-19 page.

Weinberger said he is "deeply thankful" for how Burlingtonians have organized to help their neighbors. "We will need much more of this ethic of personal responsibility and sacrifice in days ahead," he said. "While government actions are critical, we also need all of us taking personal responsibility for getting through this crisis."

Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing Available at Champlain Valley Expo

The University of Vermont Medical Center is now offering pop-up testing at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex for patients who may have the coronavirus.

The facility is only open to patients with a referral from their physician or the Vermont Department of Health.

"All others will be asked to leave," a hospital press release said. "It is important that members of the public understand that this testing is not on-demand."

Twenty patients were tested during a pilot project on Monday. The program, which will be open for four hours every weekday, aims to decrease visits to the hospital emergency department, the press release said.

Porter Medical Center in Middlebury is offering drive-up testing for the coronavirus, the Addison County Independent reported on Monday.

The facility is located in a parking lot at the hospital's South Street campus. It's open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but people who feel sick should still call their doctor before showing up in person, the newspaper reported.

The hospital is also setting up a COVID-19 triage phone line to direct coronavirus-related calls from the hospital's clinical offices.