“Stay at Home” Order Issued in Vermont
Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed a “Stay at Home” order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe Vega of WIZN 106.7 is on the radio with Attorney Ben Barry of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti discussing the order and the potential consequences for those who do not comply. Please give it a listen or read the transcript below.
Joe: 106.7 WIZN. That’s Ram Jam and Black Betty heard. Billy Squier before that. I’m Joe Vega taking you through your Wednesday Rocking Ride Home. At the top of the hour, the stay at home order that Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed yesterday went into effect and brought my friend Ben Barry from Martin Harding & Mazzotti onto the program to talk about those details. Ben, how you doing?
Ben: Joe, I’m doing well. How are you?
Joe: I’m doing good. Well, obviously, you know, tough time for everybody right now, but I just wondered if you could explain to us what this order entails other than the obvious. You know the “stay home, stay safe” you’re supposed to stay at home, but what happens, let’s say if you get pulled over and you’re not doing something essential?
Ben: Specifically, Joe, I think that if you are pulled over and you are not performing an essential task or going to the grocery store or some other essential function, I think it’s likely that whatever law enforcement agent pulled you over will ask you to return home and kind of comply with the governor’s order. I do not think that there will be any consequence, for example, being held in contempt of the order or any other criminal charge that would flow from a clear violation of the order. The order itself does not indicate that there is a consequence for violating the order. It’s really a public health and safety measure, and so it is really advisory in its spirit and hopeful that people will comply with it because it is of such a level that the governor has issued this order as have other states. New York has an order in place. I think Vermont is the 17th state to have an order of this magnitude that’s been enforced by the governor. And, so really, I think it’s important that the people who can stay home and work from home actually do it.
Joe: And what are considered essential businesses?
Ben: The obvious are certainly essential. Grocery stores, gas stations. The governor has an advisory panel that’s been established. There is a number that you can call to determine who is essential and who’s not essential, what business are considered essential. And, so, I would encourage businesses that have questions to direct them up to that telephone number. You can find it on the government website. But I think it’s really, sort of, geared towards those things that are essential to maintain your home life.
Joe: All right, Ben. Well, thanks a lot for coming on and explaining that to us. Ben Barry from Martin, Harding, & Mazzotti.
Ben: Thank you, Joe.
Joe: You can call Ben at any time at 1-800-LAW-1010 or go online to 1800law1010.com. All right. I’m getting on out of here. Mel Allen’s taking over. He’s got music from Guns N’ Roses and Bachman-Turner Overdrive next.