On Thursday, August 11th, the CDC issued updates to its guidance regarding exposure to COVID-19. For the full list of changes from the updated guidance, please click here. Below is a brief summary of the most important changes to those policies including:
- Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
- Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID-19.
- You should also isolate yourself if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.
- If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
- Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
- Clarifying that after you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
The CDC continues to advocate a risk based response to the COVID-19 Virus. In collecting data on transmission, they have determined perceived areas of low, medium, and high spread of the virus. Check your level of community spread here. Act according to your community's level of spread by following the recommendations below.
At all COVID-19 Community Levels:
- Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.
- Maintain ventilation improvements.
- Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium or High:
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator when indoors in public.
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is High:
- Wear a well-fitting mask or respirator.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
The Vermont Department of Health has updated their guidance surrounding masking as well as COVID-19 exposure and quarantine.
The new guidance reflects the current vaccination and case rates around Vermont. This new guidance allows for optional masking in the entire state and reduces quarantine time to five days flat, with no need for a negative test to exit quarantine.
OSHA and VOSHA have not updated their guidance. OSHA and VOSHA still recommend masking for all Vermont counties based on current case rates.
- Go Through this Staying Open Checklist
- Create a Health and Safety Plan ; We’ve created this template with the help of The Richards Group.
- Read this Keeping Employees Safe Document
Mask Use for Employees
- OSHA has published updated General Workplace Guidance. This new guidance follows the CDC’s announcement several weeks ago that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks when conducting day-to-day activities.
- VOSHA has published a memo with guidance that follows OSHA’s latest guidance
- The updated guidance from both organizations makes clear that: Unless otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure. This guidance focuses only on protecting unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in their workplaces.
Cleaning:
- Cleaning services in Vermont (we are not endorsing any of these businesses, simply providing info for the benefit of businesses).
- Follow the most recent CDC guidance on sanitizing the workplace
Useful Printouts
- View this page with Reopening Signage
- View this page with multiple CDC Signs for your business
- Read this guidance on face masks from the Vermont Department of Health
- Printable Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Know who is at risk for serious illness.
- Educate your employees about the virus, including its transmission and prevention, print this: Stop the Spread of Germs
- Hang this sign in your public/employee bathroom: Handwashing Steps
Agricultural Related COVID-19 Resources
Let's Grow Kids Childcare Options
The Wage and Hour Division FAQ
NRF Guidance for Essential Retail Services
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
Tips from the Attorney General and Business Leaders
Guidance for Preparing the Workplace
HR Compliance Bulletin on Coronavirus
Covid 19 What you need to know
- Information on how this guidance relates to masking is in "Mask Use for Employees" inside of "Staying Safe and Compliant"
- OSHA has published updated General Workplace Guidance.
- VOSHA has published a memo with guidance that follows OSHA’s latest guidance
- The updated guidance from both organizations makes clear that: Unless otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure. This guidance focuses only on protecting unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in their workplaces.
- If your workplace is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals you still need to take steps to provide for the safety of those unvaccinated individuals. Keep in mind that contraction of COVID-19 in the workplace remains an OSHA reportable incident.
- If you choose to implement the most current CDC guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees, VOSHA recommends employers establish documented and well communicated policies for their workplaces, which cover several items which can be found here.
The Office of Governor Scott has issued a new Executive Order to ensure federal funding continues to flow to the state as it combats remaining COVID-19 matters. This order: Maintains the Vermont National Guard’s State Service Status to allow them to continue to assist in pandemic relief, maintains access to federal funding for housing and feeding Vermonters in need, and allows the continuance of to-go drinks until H. 313 becomes effective on July 1st and continues their sale by law.
CURRENT LABOR LAW: Labor law during COVID-19 has rapidly changed and adapted to the situations that have arisen. Check the Vermont Department of Labor website for consistently up to date information. For specific issues you cannot find answers to, reach out to the VRGA team so we can assist. Breakdowns of major changes/additions to the labor law system are below.
Refusal to Return to Work
The Department of Labor reminds unemployment claimants who have been placed on temporary layoff or furlough related to COVID-19 that they must return to work if called back by their employer. Refusal to return to work, when being offered the normal rate of pay and number of hours per week, may result in the termination of unemployment benefits and the need to repay certain benefits.
If your employees have refused to return to work and are instead continuing to draw unemployment benefits, you must report this to the state Department of Labor. Employers should complete the online refusal to work form.
Work Search Requirement Reinstated for UI Recipients
As of Sunday, May 9th, 2021 the Department of Labor’s work search requirement is back in effect. Claimants who are filing in regular UI and do not have a COVID qualifying reason, as well as claimants filing in PUA who are not categorized as self-employed or independent contractors, and who do not have a COVID qualifying reason, will be required to begin making three work contacts each week beginning the week of May 9 – May 15. Only legitimate work inquiries will be considered valid.
The work search requirement was waived last spring when Governor Phil Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order went into effect. Details on upcoming work search events can be found here.
Curbside and to-go alcohol will continue through 2023 due to the Governor signing H. 313/Act 70. This bill does not allow for continued delivery of alcohol.
Per H.313 restaurants, bars, and retailers can continue to offer for take out and curbside:
- First- and third-class licensees to sell malt beverages, vinous beverages, and spirits-based prepared drinks for off-premises consumption. All sales of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption must be accompanied by a food order.
- Second-class licensees to provide curbside pickup of unopened containers of the alcoholic beverages that the licensee is permitted to sell from the licensed premises pursuant to section 222 of this subchapter.
- Fourth-class licensees to provide curbside pickup of unopened containers of the alcoholic beverages that the licensee is permitted to sell from the licensed location pursuant to section 224 of this subchapter
- For any alcoholic beverage sold pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the first- or third-class licensee shall provide the alcoholic beverage in a container: (1) with a securely affixed tamper-evident seal; and (2) bearing a label that: (A) states that the beverage contains alcohol; and (B) lists the ingredients and serving size.
- A licensee may sell alcoholic beverages pursuant to this section between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
If you are considering offering this, we strongly encourage you to contact your Insurance agent to discuss your current Liquor Liability coverage.
On Thursday, August 11th, the CDC issued updates to its guidance regarding exposure to COVID-19. For the full list of changes from the updated guidance, please click here. Below is a brief summary of the most important changes to those policies including:
- Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
- Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID-19.
- You should also isolate yourself if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.
- If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
- You should also isolate yourself if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
- Clarifying that after you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
The CDC continues to advocate a risk based response to the COVID-19 Virus. In collecting data on transmission, they have determined perceived areas of low, medium, and high spread of the virus. Check your level of community spread here. Act according to your community's level of spread by following the recommendations below.
At all COVID-19 Community Levels:
- Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses.
- Maintain ventilation improvements.
- Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium or High:
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator when indoors in public.
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is High:
- Wear a well-fitting mask or respirator.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
The Vermont Department of Health has updated their guidance surrounding masking as well as COVID-19 exposure and quarantine.
The new guidance reflects the current vaccination and case rates around Vermont. This new guidance allows for optional masking in the entire state and reduces quarantine time to five days flat, with no need for a negative test to exit quarantine.
OSHA and VOSHA have not updated their guidance. OSHA and VOSHA still recommend masking for all Vermont counties based on current case rates.
- Go Through this Staying Open Checklist
- Create a Health and Safety Plan ; We’ve created this template with the help of The Richards Group.
- Read this Keeping Employees Safe Document
Mask Use for Employees
- OSHA has published updated General Workplace Guidance. This new guidance follows the CDC’s announcement several weeks ago that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks when conducting day-to-day activities.
- VOSHA has published a memo with guidance that follows OSHA’s latest guidance
- The updated guidance from both organizations makes clear that: Unless otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure. This guidance focuses only on protecting unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in their workplaces.
Cleaning:
- Cleaning services in Vermont (we are not endorsing any of these businesses, simply providing info for the benefit of businesses).
- Follow the most recent CDC guidance on sanitizing the workplace
Useful Printouts
- View this page with Reopening Signage
- View this page with multiple CDC Signs for your business
- Read this guidance on face masks from the Vermont Department of Health
- Printable Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Know who is at risk for serious illness.
- Educate your employees about the virus, including its transmission and prevention, print this: Stop the Spread of Germs
- Hang this sign in your public/employee bathroom: Handwashing Steps
Agricultural Related COVID-19 Resources
Let's Grow Kids Childcare Options
The Wage and Hour Division FAQ
NRF Guidance for Essential Retail Services
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
Tips from the Attorney General and Business Leaders
Guidance for Preparing the Workplace
HR Compliance Bulletin on Coronavirus
Covid 19 What you need to know
- Information on how this guidance relates to masking is in "Mask Use for Employees" inside of "Staying Safe and Compliant"
- OSHA has published updated General Workplace Guidance.
- VOSHA has published a memo with guidance that follows OSHA’s latest guidance
- The updated guidance from both organizations makes clear that: Unless otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure. This guidance focuses only on protecting unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in their workplaces.
- If your workplace is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals you still need to take steps to provide for the safety of those unvaccinated individuals. Keep in mind that contraction of COVID-19 in the workplace remains an OSHA reportable incident.
- If you choose to implement the most current CDC guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees, VOSHA recommends employers establish documented and well communicated policies for their workplaces, which cover several items which can be found here.
The Office of Governor Scott has issued a new Executive Order to ensure federal funding continues to flow to the state as it combats remaining COVID-19 matters. This order: Maintains the Vermont National Guard’s State Service Status to allow them to continue to assist in pandemic relief, maintains access to federal funding for housing and feeding Vermonters in need, and allows the continuance of to-go drinks until H. 313 becomes effective on July 1st and continues their sale by law.
CURRENT LABOR LAW: Labor law during COVID-19 has rapidly changed and adapted to the situations that have arisen. Check the Vermont Department of Labor website for consistently up to date information. For specific issues you cannot find answers to, reach out to the VRGA team so we can assist. Breakdowns of major changes/additions to the labor law system are below.
Refusal to Return to Work
The Department of Labor reminds unemployment claimants who have been placed on temporary layoff or furlough related to COVID-19 that they must return to work if called back by their employer. Refusal to return to work, when being offered the normal rate of pay and number of hours per week, may result in the termination of unemployment benefits and the need to repay certain benefits.
If your employees have refused to return to work and are instead continuing to draw unemployment benefits, you must report this to the state Department of Labor. Employers should complete the online refusal to work form.
Work Search Requirement Reinstated for UI Recipients
As of Sunday, May 9th, 2021 the Department of Labor’s work search requirement is back in effect. Claimants who are filing in regular UI and do not have a COVID qualifying reason, as well as claimants filing in PUA who are not categorized as self-employed or independent contractors, and who do not have a COVID qualifying reason, will be required to begin making three work contacts each week beginning the week of May 9 – May 15. Only legitimate work inquiries will be considered valid.
The work search requirement was waived last spring when Governor Phil Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order went into effect. Details on upcoming work search events can be found here.
Curbside and to-go alcohol will continue through 2023 due to the Governor signing H. 313/Act 70. This bill does not allow for continued delivery of alcohol.
Per H.313 restaurants, bars, and retailers can continue to offer for take out and curbside:
- First- and third-class licensees to sell malt beverages, vinous beverages, and spirits-based prepared drinks for off-premises consumption. All sales of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption must be accompanied by a food order.
- Second-class licensees to provide curbside pickup of unopened containers of the alcoholic beverages that the licensee is permitted to sell from the licensed premises pursuant to section 222 of this subchapter.
- Fourth-class licensees to provide curbside pickup of unopened containers of the alcoholic beverages that the licensee is permitted to sell from the licensed location pursuant to section 224 of this subchapter
- For any alcoholic beverage sold pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the first- or third-class licensee shall provide the alcoholic beverage in a container: (1) with a securely affixed tamper-evident seal; and (2) bearing a label that: (A) states that the beverage contains alcohol; and (B) lists the ingredients and serving size.
- A licensee may sell alcoholic beverages pursuant to this section between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
If you are considering offering this, we strongly encourage you to contact your Insurance agent to discuss your current Liquor Liability coverage.
