AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Governor Janet Mills on Friday issued an executive order mandating that travelers arriving in Maine, regardless of their state of residency, self-quarantine for 14 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Mills’ office sent out a press release Friday afternoon warning everyone of the changes:
The Order, which directs the Maine Department of Transportation,the Maine Turnpike Authority, and others to post this guidance at all major points of entry into the State, exempts individuals who are providing essential services as defined by Governor Mills’ March 24 Executive Order.
“To slow the spread of this deadly virus and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, we must all do our part,” said Governor Mills. “I am mandating that anyone entering Maine self-quarantine for 14 days and abide by Maine’s Stay Healthy at Home Order. These actions will protect the health and safety of everyone.”
Additionally, the order instructs visitors not to travel to Maine if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and advises them not to travel to Maine if they are traveling from cities or regions identified as COVID-19 hot spots.
The order states that lodging can be provided for housing vulnerable populations – such as for children in emergency placements, persons at risk of domestic violence, and homeless individuals as permitted by the State – and for accommodations for health care workers or other workers deemed necessary to support public health, public safety, or critical infrastructure.
While Governor Mills hopes compliance with this order will be voluntary, it may also be enforced by law enforcement, as necessary. Individual violations of this order may be charged as a Class E crime subject to a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Additionally, any lodging, park, or campground operator who violates this order “maybe construed as violating any license, permit or other authorization to operate and be subject to appropriate penalties.”
The order is effective immediately and extends until at least April 30, 2020.
