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Maine hotels reopen to out-of-staters, but will they come?

Maine hotels reopen to out-of-staters, but will they come?

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine innkeepers and hoteliers are opening their doors to out-of-state tourists on Friday for those who’ve either tested negative for the coronavirus or are willing to quarantine for 14 days.

But many say visitors are canceling over the measures.

Greg Dugal, spokesman for HospitalityMaine, said a survey of 51 testing locations between Maine and Virginia revealed only four locations where someone could get tested and get results within 72 hours or arriving in Maine.

“There’s not enough availability for tests,” Dugal said.

A panel that’s tasked with assisting with the recovery of the state’s tourism industry is recommending easing the testing and quarantine requirements. The requirements apply to all states except New Hampshire and Vermont.

Draft recommendations from the Hospitality, Tourism and Retail subcommittee of Gov. Janet Mills’ Economic Recovery Committee suggests Maine’s outlier status is going to hurt the state’s tourism industry, the Portland Press Herald said.

“We feel compelled to make this recommendation because the economic consequences are so massive for these sectors and Mainers more generally,” the draft report said.

The subcommittee’s suggestions are not final and may be revised based on input from the full economic recovery panel.

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