Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and his health commissioner, Mark Levine, defended New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday after the Granite State governor lifted his state’s mask mandate the day before.
During Scott’s twice-weekly press briefing, Levine said that news coverage had thus far focused on the repeal of the mandate while ignoring Sununu’s urging that New Hampshire-ites continue to wear masks.
“We’ve been talking about Gov. Sununu and all the focus has been in the headline — on the mask mandate is gone,” Levine said. “But if you actually heard what he said and what his public health team is saying constantly, it is, ‘Still wear masks. It’s just we’ve taken the mandate away.’”
Sununu announced New Hampshire’s new policy on Twitter.
“As fatalities continue to decline, as hospitalizations remain manageable, and as vaccinations continue to increase, the state’s mask mandate will not be renewed tomorrow,” he wrote. “This mandate going away will not limit or prevent the ability of private businesses or cities and towns from requiring masks, as was the case beforehand.”
Scott said Friday that he was not surprised by the decision, though Vermont is not likely to follow suit.
“A couple of more things on that, while I’m thinking of it, in defense of New Hampshire,” Scott said. “They took a different approach, as well, and some of their communities have mask mandates in place and will continue to have mask mandates in place — I think Hanover being one.”
Vermont has required people to cover their nose and mouth in public since Aug. 1, 2020.
Scott said Friday that masks are an essential part of the state’s plan to reopen by July 4.
“We all feel strongly that this is a safe approach, and that it is based on a strategy we’ve been using since day one,” he said.
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