VDH COVID-19 Update: No quarantine if vaccinated, LTC restrictions loosened with conditions

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 97 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths, which are holding at 193. Governor Scott announced at his weekly press briefing Friday that those who have been vaccinated with both doses may travel in and out of the state without quarantining after two weeks past the second dose. They also do not need to quarantine if they’ve come into contact with someone who is positive. This new guidance still requires those people to follow all the other health guidance, including not gathering with anyone outside your household and wearing a mask in public places. Also, long-term care facilities that have no COVID-19 outbreaks will be encouraged to use full vaccination status as a factor in planning for things such as eating together and participating in other group activities within guidelines. The guidance will also include considerations for safe physical contact and indoor visits.

COVID-19 Daily Update  

February 19, 2021  

New or updated information is in red and bold  

This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19 

Click the “See the Daily Update” button 

Officials announce change in travel rules for vaccinated people, guidance for long-term care facilities 

Governor Phil Scott said at Friday’s press conference that fully vaccinated people who travel to and from Vermont will no longer need to quarantine, effective Feb. 23.  

Travelers must be able to prove they have been fully vaccinated, he said. Fully vaccinated means it’s been at least two weeks since your final dose. 

Governor Scott acknowledged there are many areas that will be impacted and questions to be answered. 

“It’s important for Vermonters to know, we are currently working through how vaccinations can impact multi-household gatherings,” Gov. Scott said. “We’re also looking at returning to a ‘trusted household’ policy and we hope to have further updates next week.” 

“This is encouraging news,” he added. “It means the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and brighter. We’re one step closer to returning to more normal routines, and as more and more Vermonters receive their vaccine, and hospitalizations and fatalities continue to go down, and stay down — we’ll continue to be able to turn the spigot.” 

Human Services Secretary Mike Smith also announced new guidance for long-term care facility residents effective Feb. 26. 

Facilities that have no COVID-19 outbreaks will be encouraged to use full vaccination status as a factor in planning for things such as eating together and participating in other group activities within guidelines. The guidance will also include considerations for safe physical contact and indoor visits. 

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD added: “We’re glad vaccination efforts have been so successful in these facilities that it can help residents feel safe, while making it possible have greater freedom and connection with others.” 

New Sites and Appointment Times Added for Age 70 and Older Vaccination 

We’re adding new sites and appointment times for COVID-19 vaccines for those who are 70 and up!

New sites and times have been added in Essex Junction, St. Johnsbury, Rutland, Brattleboro and St. Albans next week. There are also plenty of slots left in Randolph and Hardwick next week on Feb. 24. If you haven’t made an appointment yet, please visit our website at  healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine.

If you have a later appointment and wish to reschedule your appointment for an earlier one, or need assistance making an appointment, please contact our call center at 855-722-7878. To speak with someone in a language other than English, call this number, and then press 1. 

Slow the spread of COVID-19 — get tested! 

The sooner you know if you have the virus, the sooner you can protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from COVID-19. If you got together with anyone outside your household, think you might have been exposed to the virus, or have any symptoms (no matter how mild) — get tested! 

There are sites available around the state for COVID-19 testing, with more open daily. Make an appointment at healthvermont.gov/testing. Many test sites now allow Vermonters to take their own samples using a short swab in your nose.  

 If you’re a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you can use this timeline to help guide when to get tested. 

 If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your health care provider so they can refer you for testing. If you don’t have a provider, you can call 2-1-1.  

New on healthvermont.gov 

According to current data, people are more likely to get COVID-19 through close contact to another case and less likely to be associated with an outbreak. While we are still seeing outbreaks across the state, they are not as impactful as they were in October and early November. Learn more in Vermont in the latest Weekly Data Summary Spotlight. 

COVID-19 Activity in Vermont 

As of 12 p.m. on February 19, 2021 

Data is updated daily.  

Find more data on COVID-19 Activity at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.  

COVID-19 Vaccine Data 

As of 12 p.m. on February 19, 2021 

Data is updated Tuesdays through Saturdays. 

 Find more vaccine data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19-vaccine-data. 

 Additional Resources About Vaccination and More 

• Find answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.  
• Get Vermont-specific information in our Frequently Asked Questions.  
• Sign up for the COVID-19 Weekly Email Update. 
• Find information sheets, posters and toolkits, as well as translated materials on our Resources web page.  

Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health 

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:  

• Call your local mental health crisis line.   
• Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line.  
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 

You can also get more information and resources: 

• Visit our Coping with Stress web page. 
• Get connected to Alcohol and Drug Support Services at VT Helplink. 
• Get self-help tips and connect to mental health services at COVID Support VT.