Vermont governor leaves it to lawmakers to decide mask mandate

Vermont is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Governor Phil Scott is encouraging Vermont residents to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot if eligible.

He wants the State Legislature to hold a special session and discuss giving lawmakers the authority to issue a temporary indoor mask mandate.

Lawmakers say they are disappointed, but may act on his request. They say they wish the governor would issue a statewide mandate until the number of cases come back down.