Guidelines for Business Operations

Guidelines for Business Operations

Guidelines for Business Operations

The State of Vermont is regularly updating the most complete guidance for business owners. See updates here.

NEW! Executive Orders from the State of Vermont.

Restaurants and Bars

  • All restaurants must be closed to in-person dining at 10:00 p.m.
  • You may provide food and beverage alcohol accompanying food orders through curbside pick-up, drive-through, delivery services for off-site consumption after 10:00 p.m.
  • Restaurants must provide seated dining service to no more than one household per table as well as the occupancy limits set forth in ACCD Work Safe Guidance.
  • 2nd and 4th class licensees and licensees other than 1st class licensees who serve food, or partner with entities who serve food, including bars and social clubs shall suspend operations.
  • However, bars and social clubs may offer take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery of beverage alcohol.
  • Restaurants, catering, food service, and bars may allow 50 percent of fire safety occupancy or 1 person per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. For more detailed guidance from the State, please Click Here.

All Businesses

  • Businesses, as of August 1st, must require customers to wear facial coverings unless they are seated and eating
  • Businesses, as of August 1st, may decline service to individuals who are not wearing a mask
  • All employees are required to wear facial coverings. For reference, the City of Burlington has created a face-covering policy for city employees and guests of City employees on City property, feel free to use this as a guide when planning out COVID-19 policies and procedures.
  • Contact Log Requirements
    • Restaurants, museums, gyms, and other establishments must keep an easily accessible, legible log of all employees, customers, members, and guests and their contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email address for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by VDH. For the sake of clarity, this requirement applies to all employees and all guests in every party. All customers, members, and guests providing informed consent to be contacted by the VDH Contact Tracing Team.
  • Retail businesses may only operate at 50% fire safety capacity OR 1 customer per 200 square feet
    OR 10 total customers and staff combined, whichever is greater. For more detailed guidance from the State of Vermont, please click here.
  • Businesses must post their temporary occupancy limit as well as which above method was used to determine it must be prominently on all entrances
  • All staff and customers must maintain 6 feet social distancing.
  • All employees must complete and document mandatory health and safety training as provided by the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA).
  • Businesses are encouraged to set safety protocols for their businesses.
  • Cashless and touch-less transactions are strongly encouraged.
  • Curbside pick up remains the preferred method of operation.
    • When possible, retailers should take steps to schedule or stage customer visits.