AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Governor Janet Mills on Friday signed an executive order which outlines steps the state will take as restrictions are eased.
Most Maine counties will take a big step toward reopening on Monday, when Phase 2 of Governor Mills’ plan to reopen kicks in. It allows restaurants in all counties other than York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin to allow customers inside as long as safety precautions are followed. It also allows customers to return to retail stores in all counties.
Mills’ executive order mostly clarifies the changes that will take effect, most of them starting Monday. The executive order does the following:
1. Eases the restrictions on certain gatherings from 10 to 50 beginning June 1 consistent with the Restarting Plan.
2. Eases restrictions on eating establishments permitted to reopen and maintains restrictions on those not yet authorized to reopen consistent with the Restarting Plan.
3. Phases out the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses consistent with the implementation of the Restarting Plan.
4. Continues to require businesses to the extent practicable as determined by businesses to have their employees work remotely.
5. Continues but relaxes Maine’s “Stay Safer at Home” Order, which has Maine people stay-at-home with exceptions, allowing people to visit more businesses and participate in more activities as they reopenunder the Restarting Plan.
6. Maintains previously established restrictions on use of public transportation, unless necessary for essential purposes, and continues to limit passengers in certain private vehicles.
7. Effective June 5th, requires places of business accessible to the public to post readily visible signs notifying customers of the requirement to wear cloth face coverings where physical distancingis not possible, as many already have, and allows them to deny entry or service to a person not wearing a covering or who is exempt from doing so.
“It is my responsibility to protect the health and well-being of Maine people and to support our economy. Throughout this reopening process, I will continue to fight to strike that balance,” said Governor Mills. “This Executive Order allows for the gradual lifting of restrictions as we continue to reopen our economy. I continue to ask Maine people to stay home whenever possible, not only to protect themselves but to protect others as well, like our frontline workers. If and when you do go out, I urge you to stay local and shop local, to stay at least six feet apart from others, to wear a face covering, and, as always, to wash your hands and practice good hygiene. Staying vigilant will save lives and allow us to safely reopen our economy.”
The new executive order goes into effect May 31st and “will remain in effect until rescinded.”
