4/9/2021: Vermont Forward: Roadmap to Reopening

Today, April 9th, marks the start of Step 1 of the Vermont Forward reopening plan, which Governor Scott announced earlier this week.

  • New Travel Policy: Effective today, quarantine is no longer required. Find the full travel guidance including new testing policies for Vermonters and visitors at the Department of Health website. The certificate of compliance for lodging establishments is still required until all travel restrictions are fully lifted, currently scheduled for June 1st.
  • Shift to Universal Guidance: Effective today, “Group A” sectors in the Vermont Forward plan will move to universal guidance measures for business operations. All remaining business sectors (“Group B”) can plan to move to universal guidance on May 1st.
  • Event and Gathering Update: Event organizers can now plan for indoor and outdoor event and gathering sizes to increase gradually starting May 1st, based on the venue size and the number of vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. Outdoor events and gatherings remain strongly preferred.

Vermont Forward Plan Webinar

ACCD will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 3:00pm to answer questions about the Vermont Forward Plan as it relates to business operations, events, and cross state travel. Questions must be submitted prior to the webinar via this webform and will be collated into themes to be addressed during the webinar.

Financial Assistance for Small Businesses

Vermont businesses continue to be encouraged to take advantage of the federal and sector-specific financial assistance programs currently available including:

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The deadline has been extended until May 31st. The Vermont District Office of the SBA continues to offer two weekly webinars on First and Second Draw PPP loans and PPP loan forgiveness.
  • Vermont Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding: A second round of sole proprietor grants, ranging from $1,500 and $10,000, are now open to qualifying sole proprietors on a first come, first served basis. Technical assistance resources at the grant program website.
  • Cultural Facilities Grants: Offered by the Vermont Arts Council, applications for awards of up to $30,000 to Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities to increase the physical capacity to provide cultural activities for the public are now being accepted through June 7th.

Coming Soon: New Tourism Events Calendar

VDTM is preparing to launch a new events calendar on VermontVacation.com. If you are planning an event for this summer or fall, we’d love to include it in the new calendar. Please send an email to [email protected] if you are interested and we will follow up with next steps. Don’t have an event? Make sure your business is listed on our trip planning directory by signing up.