PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine’s governor issued an executive order Thursday requiring people to wear face coverings in public setting regardless of their ability to maintain physical distance from others.
Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, beefed up an earlier executive order that required mask use when it’s difficult to maintain social distance. Owners and operators of public places must also post signs notifying entrants they can be denied entry for non-compliance to the mask rule, the order stated.
Mills issued the order the day state health authorities announced a record of 183 new cases of the coronavirus in a single day. Public health officials in Maine have been advising caution about a growing wave of COVID-19 cases in the state, which had largely contained the virus through the summer.
“Protect your family. Protect a health care worker. Protect the elderly. Wear your face covering. Save lives. It is that simple,” Mills said.
The rule change went into effect immediately and is set to stand until repealed or amended.
