Scott: Vermont's pandemic restrictions to end at midnight Tuesday

The governor touted the state's vaccination strategy for Vermont becoming the first state to reach 80 percent of eligible residents.

Gov. Phil Scott said all remaining COVID-19 related restrictions on Vermont residents, schools and businesses will be lifted at midnight Tuesday.

At a "special announcement" in Montpelier, the governor touted the state's vaccination strategy, which made it the first state in the nation to reach 80 percent of eligible residents ages 12 and over with at least one dose of the vaccine.

“Now that we have hit 80%, as promised and effective immediately, I am lifting all remaining state pandemic restrictions and the State of Emergency will formally end at midnight June 15,” Scott said.

“And here’s why: Because it’s safe to do so. It is safe because Vermonters have done their part to keep spread of the virus low throughout the pandemic and stepped up to get vaccinated. In fact, no state in the nation is in a better or safer position to do this than we are.”

Under the state's Vermont Forward plan, all restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings have been lifted. However, some situations, such as public transportation and long-term care facilities, will remain subject to federal health guidelines. Health officials are also encouraging people who have not been vaccinated to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Scott had teased Monday's announcement with two tweets Sunday, saying just 322 people needed to get their first COVID-19 shot to trigger the removal of all pandemic-related restrictions.

Also on Sunday, the Biden administration took note of Vermont's vaccination campaign and overall response in a tweet from White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, who noted Vermont had vaccinated a higher percentage of its eligible residents than any other state

Scott initially set a July 4 goal for reopening Vermont completely. On May 21, he said all remaining restrictions would be lifted if the state reached an 80 percent vaccination rate. At the time, more than 350,000 Vermonters had received at least one dose.

On Friday, the health department's vaccine dashboard reported 444,187 had received at least one dose, with 390,000 had completed the process.

This story will be updated.