Governor Janet Mills on Monday announced an alternative to the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state visitors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
It comes as the state’s busy tourist season gets underway, and as Governor Mills faces lawsuits from businessowners who are challenging the quarantine requirement.
A major piece of the governor’s new “Keep Maine Healthy” plan unveiled Monday requires out-of-state visitors to provide proof to the lodging establishment they’re staying at that they’ve tested negative for Covid-19 within the last 72 hours.
It makes an exception for visitors coming in from New Hampshire and Vermont, where coronavirus case numbers have remained relatively low. According to the plan, they can enter Maine without going through those compliance measures beginning this Friday, June 12th.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has loomed large over our state’s tourism industry. Many Maine people are fearful that more visitors will increase the spread of the virus while many small businesses are fearful that a lack of visitors will force them to permanently close their doors,” said Governor Janet Mills. “It is my hope that by creating layers of protection to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus this plan will protect public health, establish Maine as a safe place to visit, and allow tourists to come to Maine to support our small businesses.”
“We look forward to safely welcoming tourists to Maine,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “We believe that tourists will be selecting destinations that are safe and still have the high quality experiences that Maine is known for.”
The plan also calls for increased symptom checks at places where out-of-state visitors frequent, and supporting public education about preventing the spread of Covid-19.
It also provides assistance for businesses that are working to meet guidelines set by the state as they begin to reopen.
