(AP) Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, said Monday that the state has updated its pandemic guidelines to allow for more attendance at town meetings next month.

The state had been limiting indoor town meetings to 50 percent of permitted occupancy or 50 people, whichever is greater. That number increases to 75 percent on May 24, the governor’s office said.

Outdoor town meetings have been limited to 75 percent of occupancy and will increase to 100 percent on May 24, the office said.

Mills office said the rules are “based on the premise that the right to debate and vote as well as public health and safety can be protected with procedures specially designed for elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.”