Vermont lifts coronavirus restrictions as it becomes first state to partially vaccinate 80% of eligible population

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Monday that more than 80% of eligible residents have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, the first state to reach that milestone.

Scott said that he would immediately lift all remaining state pandemic restrictions as a result and that Vermont’s state of emergency would expire at midnight Tuesday.

According to the state, 80.2% of Vermonters age 12 and older and 81.8% of those 18 and older have received at least one shot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that 61.4% of the U.S. population 12 and older has received at least one dose.

“Our state has shown the world what’s possible when you have a group of people with the right attitude following the data and trusting medical science,” Scott said at a news conference.

State Health Commissioner Mark Levine said Monday that the high vaccination rate would help reduce the spread of the virus, decrease or eliminate hospitalizations and prevent deaths. Levine said it would also reduce the likelihood of more-virulent variants of the virus developing.

“This protection is what is allowing us to lift restrictions today,” he said. “That is public health at work.”

Scott noted that some businesses might choose to keep requirements in place as they wait for employees to get vaccinated. Vermont residents will still need to follow federal pandemic restrictions, such as those for public transportation, and Scott emphasized that this announcement does not mark the end of the state’s effort to vaccinate as many residents as possible.