March 13, 2020

Dear AIAVT Community, 

We are sharing an update on COVID-19 (coronavirus) in VT and the responses from our design community. The status of the virus is changing rapidly, and we recommend having discussions and making a plan with all leaders and employees in your workplace.  We understand that this is a stressful time, and the virus affects not only our health but our economics.

Firms in Vermont are already taking action to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Principals and staff are meeting to discuss the virus, share concerns, and make contingency plans for both internal and external work-life disruptions.
• Firms are considering remote work options, setting up and testing out systems for server login, setting guidelines for information transfer, and methods of communication (i.e. chats). Working remotely is being observed as a personal choice and already being encouraged or mandated in many Vermont businesses.
• Leadership is reviewing and clarifying sick leave policies and considering changes or temporary policies to encourage those who feel ill to stay home.
• Many people are reducing or eliminating in-person meetings and utilizing online platforms for meeting.
• Vendors and product representative meetings are being rescheduled to reduce the number of traveling people coming into the workplace.

We encourage you to use resources from the following sources for the most up to date information:

Center for Disease Control(CDC) 

• COVID-19 Website
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet
• COVID-19 Information for Travel
• Travel Notices

Vermont Department of Health 

• Current Status of COVID-19 in Vermont
• VT Department of Health Twitter Page

AIAVT shares in the responsibility to reduce the spread of the virus and will be carefully considering all events that are scheduled and planned as well as following the recommendation of AIA National when planning events for later this year. We will provide regular communications and updates as they are available.

Sincerely,

Taryn Barrett, AIA

AIAVT President