VTDigger is posting regular updates on the coronavirus in Vermont on this page. You can also subscribe here for regular email updates on the coronavirus. If you have any questions, thoughts or updates on how Vermont is responding to COVID-19, contact us at coronavirus@vtdigger.org
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger declared a city emergency Monday and said the city would be limiting non-essential city services starting Wednesday.
Access to city buildings will be restricted, as will services offered by the Fletcher Free Library, Burlington City Arts and the city’s Parks, Recreation & Waterfront department.
The city will continue to offer water, electricity, emergency response, maintenance of streets and sidewalks and recycling pickups, Weinberger said.
“While we hope these actions will save lives and otherwise protect our community, we know that they will cause economic damage,” he said. “I have great concerns about how these steps and others announced at the state and federal levels will impact hourly wage workers, renters, and small businesses.”
Weinberger ordered the restrictions in the wake of more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Vermont. As of Monday afternoon, there are 12 confirmed cases in the state.
Gov. Phil Scott announced an executive order Monday limiting gatherings to 50 people. The order applies to gyms, arenas, stadiums, libraries, auditoriums and meeting halls.
On Sunday, the governor announced the closing of the state’s schools by Wednesday. Last week, the University of Vermont and Champlain College closed their campuses, emptying Burlington of college students.
All restaurants and bars in Vermont must close by 2 p.m. Tuesday, as ordered by the governor, except for take-out and delivery. The announcement eclipsed Weinberger’s identical declaration for the city made earlier in the day. In Burlington, establishments must close by 6 a.m. Tuesday under the mayor’s order.
Weinberger said he was very concerned about the economic damage that would be caused by the closing of schools, restaurants, theaters and other gathering places.
To relieve pressure on residents facing potential layoffs in the near future, Weinberger said the city has asked the Champlain Housing Trust, Cathedral Square and Burlington Housing Authority to suspend evictions during the crisis.
Weinberger also urged private landlords to voluntarily suspend evictions for individuals who could prove COVID-19-related economic hardships. Other jurisdictions, including New York state, have suspended evictions during the pandemic.
“The announcements I have just made are just the beginnings of our efforts to provide relief,” Weinebrger said.
Luke McGowan, the director of the city’s Community and Economic Development Office, said that the city was monitoring federal discussions on a proposed relief package that would offer paid leave for workers.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a relief bill Saturday that provides workers with paid leave if they become infected or need to provide care, strengthens unemployment and food assistant programs and provides free virus testing.
McGowan said the city was reviewing state and federal funding sources that could help the city’s businesses and workers and would be presenting a relief package in coming days.
