A look at pandemic-related developments around New England on Sunday:
VERMONT
A coalition of Vermont faith groups is holding a memorial service Sunday on the Statehouse lawn to honor Vermonters who have died of COVID-19.
Vermont Interfaith Action is hosting the 3 p.m. event, which includes a ceremonial reading of names of each person who has died of the virus.
“We have all suffered so much during this pandemic,” Rev. Debbie Ingram, executive director of Vermont Interfaith Action, said in a statement. “This is a moment to honor those lost and to begin to heal as a community.”
Participants are encouraged to wear masks and physically distance during the event.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Boch Center in Boston is the first performing arts center in the city to offer rapid COVID-19 tests on-site.
Attendees must show proof of vaccination or provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of a show.
The Boch Center hosted performances on Saturday at the Wang and Shubert theatres and offered rapid testing for $30, with results available within 15 minutes. Attendees are also required to wear masks.
“You get emotional, I’m almost ready to cry, because we’ve been dark for almost 18 and a half months,” CEO Josiah Spaulding said.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Vaccinations will be a hot topic when New Hampshire lawmakers return to the Statehouse in January.
Friday was the deadline for House lawmakers to file the titles of bills they are drafting for the upcoming session. Nineteen of them include the word “vaccination,” and another 18 include “vaccine.”
Many appear aimed at preventing employers from mandating vaccinations and prohibiting discrimination based on vaccination status. Others relate to exemptions from school vaccine mandates.
Senators will begin filing legislation next month.
