COVID Reopening Plans

It will likely come as no surprise that our COVID reopening plans are something of a moving target. Our plan is to continue to follow the expectations outlined by the state of Vermont while monitoring recommendations made by the CDC to inform any of our practices that are not explicitly laid out by Governor Scott’s Executive Order. So, what does that mean? To be honest, we are not entirely sure yet exactly how the spring and summer will play out, but here’s what we know:

• We will be extending the Visitor Center hours to include Thursdays through Sundays 9 am – 4 pm. Depending on regional COVID numbers and mid-week visitor traffic, we will explore the possibility of opening an additional day or two.

• We are reopening select facilities on the property for day visitors, specifically the Sap House and Small Animal Barn. We will continue to request that visitors follow the CDC’s recommended guidelines regarding mask wearing, distancing, etc., in these spaces.

• As of May 1 per the State of Vermont, masks or other facial coverings are no longer required for people who are outside. The revision to Vermont’s mask policy follows similar guidance released by the federal Centers for Disease Control. Masks are still required outdoors when maintaining 6 feet of distancing isn’t possible.

• As travel restrictions ease, we will be loosening restrictions on back-to-back cabin bookings.

• We will be reintroducing small-gathering programs such as guided hikes, workshops, and summer camp.

• Bioblitz-2021 is on, and we hope to see you there.

• We are incredibly excited to see you up on the mountain!

As always, thanks for your patience and understanding as we continue to work hard to balance our desire to spend time with all of you and our commitment to doing what we can to keep our community safe. Keep an eye on our website for further updates as our reopening plans evolve. If, at any point, you have questions about our current COVID policies, don’t hesitate to reach out to info@merckforest.org.

Please visit merckforest.org for event times and details and current health and safety guidelines.