THETFORD — Treasure Island, the town-owned recreation area on Lake Fairlee, may not open to the general public this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Thetford Selectboard voted on Monday night not to open it as normal, but to consider whether it could be open for rentals this summer for groups of 20 people at a time, according to a Facebook post from Treasure Island Thetford.
The recreation area, which is in the town of West Fairlee, normally opens on Memorial Day weekend, but season pass sales and the hiring and training of staff were stalled by the outbreak.
Selectboard Chairman Nick Clark said by email on Tuesday that the town is expecting to have some guidance from state officials this week about parks and beaches and how they might operate, if at all, this summer.
New Hampshire’s Supreme Court has issued an order requiring people to wear a face covering when they enter a court because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This rule applies to all who work in the Judicial Branch as well as litigants, lawyers, members of the media, and members of the public,” according to the order issued Monday.
Judicial branch staff and judges aren’t required to wear masks when they can consistently maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing, the order said.
It remains in effect until at least Monday, May 25.
“Until we know more, it’s hard to responsibly open, and of course we’re closed under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order regardless,” Clark wrote.
On Tuesday, the Vermont Department of Health reported five new positive cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the total to just under 910. The number of deaths remained steady at 52.
As of Monday, 2,588 people in New Hampshire have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 72 from the previous day. Eighty-six people have died.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.