PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The City Council in Maine’s largest city has decided to continue a pandemic rule to allow outdoor dining and retail to remain in place until at least the fall.
Portland is looking to end a local emergency declaration about the pandemic on July 29. That would also end additional powers given to the city manager that can restrict public gatherings.
However, street closures that allow businesses to expand outdoor dining and retail options will continue until November, the Portland Press Herald reported. The council voted on Monday that a designation allowing restaurants to operate on public ways without additional fees will continue until Nov. 1.
A statewide emergency declaration about the pandemic ended in June.
