Helping Vermonters Stay Safe
New guidance on face masks
On Friday, April 3, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, recommended that Vermonters wear cloth facial masks or coverings if they need to leave their homes for essential purposes. This advice is based on new data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms.
Because people may have COVID-19 but no symptoms, wearing a face mask may help keep people from spreading the virus. Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing and other prevention measures.
It is important that medical-grade masks be reserved for our health care workers and first responders. This information and more is available at our continually updated FAQ.
Continue social distancing & hand washing
Dr. Levine stressed that the most effective way to slow the virus’s spread is to continue to follow the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, respect social distancing and be vigilant in regularly washing hands and not touching your face. The sacrifices Vermonters are making is beginning to show promising results in slowing the spread, but we must keep up the good work for quite a bit longer to keep us all healthy and safe.
How to safely enjoy the outdoors
New guidance from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
- Stay close to home. Find areas close you can walk or bike to. If you must drive, please limit the distance from home to 10 miles and only drive with members of your household.
- Practice social distancing while outside. You lower your risk when you stay at least 6 ft apart from others. This includes having your dog on a leash and close to you.
- Be cautious and choose low-risk activities to avoid injury. This will help lower the burden on our hospitals and health care system.
- Respect signs for closed areas, trails and land. Check www.Trailfinder.info to see if your trail is currently open before you visit.
For more information, visit the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation at https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19
You can follow updates from the Vermont Department of Health at healthvermont.gov/covid19 under UPDATES