Vax passport, testing “strongly recommended” for all other visitors
By Guy Page
Under a draft approved Wednesday by the Vermont Legislative Joint Rules Committee, lawmakers and legislative staff will not be allowed into the State House unless they demonstrate proof of vaccination or submit to a PCR test.
The draft reads that all legislators and legislative staff “shall either…: (i) demonstrate fully protected vaccination against COVID-19; or (ii) on a weekly basis provide proof of a negative NAAT1 COVID-19 test.”
All members of the public will be “strongly recommended” to:
“(A) provide proof of fully protected vaccination against COVID-19; or (B) perform a rapid COVID-19 test provided by the General Assembly and obtain a negative result on that test…..prior to entering any legislative space on any day of the week.”
Some lawmakers – including Rep. Vicki Strong (R-Albany) – have said they will not be vaccinated nor submit to PCR testing. According to media reports, Senate Pro Tem Becca Balint (D-Windham) acknowledged the Legislature has yet to determine how to proceed with dissenters like Strong.
The Joint Rules draft recommendation will now go to the Rules Committee of each body for approval. If approved, the policy will begin Jan. 3, 2022.