Maine Governor Janet Mills has set a date for the re-opening of restaurants to dine-in service in three of the state’s counties.
Governor Mills on Monday said dine-in service in York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties can begin this Wednesday, June 17th.
She pointed to encouraging coronavirus trends in those counties, including a plateau in the number of new cases and a stabilizing hospitalization rate among those with Covid-19.
Bars, breweries, and tasting rooms may also open in those counties Wednesday for outdoor seated service, along with gyms, nail salons, and tattoo parlors.
The three counties will join the rest of the state in allowing dine-in service, after the governor’s administration slowed the reopening in those areas due to a higher prevalence of the virus and confirmed community transmission.
Those restaurants and establishments that choose to open will have to adhere to new health and safety protocols.
“Maine people and businesses have worked hard to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and the stabilization of cases and hospitalizations in York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties help demonstrate that,” said Governor Mills. “But this pandemic is not over. As we reopen restaurants for indoor dining and other businesses in these areas, we remain vigilant. Businesses must strictly adhere to health and safety protocols and all people should wear face coverings, stay six feet apart whenever possible, and frequently wash their hands. If we continue to protect ourselves and one another by taking these steps, we can reopen our economy in a safe way and limit the spread of this dangerous virus.”
“We’ll continue to monitor the data closely,” said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. “Maine people have limited potential spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 by being responsible in physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and handwashing since March, and we trust that high level of responsibility will continue as restaurants throughout the state reopen.”
