Augusta, MAINE – Gov. Janet Mills on Friday unveiled a plan aimed at boosting Maine’s economy ahead of the busy spring and summer tourism seasons.
The Moving Maine Forward plan establishes a timeframe to increase capacity limits, eases Maine’s travel policies and sets a target reopening date of March 26 for indoor service at bars.
“Public health and economic health go hand-in-hand, and this plan aims to achieve both,” Governor Janet Mills said in a Friday press release. “By maintaining proven health measures, providing straightforward protocols, and establishing clear timeframes, this plan will protect the health of Maine people and visitors alike and support Maine’s economy during our critical tourism season.”
The plan maintains public health and safety protocols, such as wearing face coverings, keeping physical distance and conducting enhanced cleaning. The industry-specific protocols will remain in effect throughout the summer, the release said.
For indoor gatherings, the percentage of capacity will increase to 50 percent starting March 26 and 75 percent starting May 24. For outdoor gatherings, the percentage of capacity will increase to 75 percent starting March 26 and 100 percent starting May 24.
Those businesses that have more capacity under the current policy are permitted to maintain that standard until May 24.
The new capacity targets can be scaled back if the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention determines hospital capacity is at risk or if a new variant strain poses a significant risk to public health in Maine, the release said.
The plan also establishes a target reopening date of March 26, 2021 for Maine bars and tasting rooms, which will be required to operate under the Seated Food and Drink COVID-19 Checklist.
The release also provided an update on Maine’s travel policy. Effective immediately, the plan adds Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island to the list of states exempt from testing and quarantine requirements. New Hampshire and Vermont had previously been exempt. These states have reduced their positivity and active case rates, the release said.
The plan also exempts those who have either recently had COVID-19 or have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of their state of origin, from the test or quarantine requirement. Federal requirements related to international travel, however, remain in effect.
Effective May 1, the plan shifts Maine’s COVID-19 travel policy requirements from an “all states included, unless exempt” model to an “all states exempt, unless included” model. It means that travelers from all states are automatically exempt unless otherwise determined by the Maine CDC.
The introduction of the Moving Maine Forward plan comes after Governor Mills announced last week that Maine is adopting an age-based approach, expanding vaccination eligibility per a directive from the Biden Administration. The state has also announced it is making school staff and childcare providers eligible.
As of Friday morning, Maine had administered 391,148 COVID-19 vaccine doses. The release said 253,135 people, or nearly 19 percent of residents, have gotten first doses. About 10 percent of residents, 138,013 people, have received final doses.
