PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The mayor of Maine’s largest city says the governor was right to expand the mask mandate in the state.

Maine is dealing with increasing spread of coronavirus after several months of keeping the virus largely in check.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued an executive order on Thursday that required people in the state to wear a mask in public settings regardless of their ability to maintain social distance.

Portland Mayor Kate Snyder, a Democrat like Mills, says the move is necessary.

In a written statement, Snyder said wearing a mask is “something we can all do to contribute to the health of our community.”

Portland is in Cumberland County, which has by far the largest share of Maine’s coronavirus cases.

Snyder said the order “reflects the severity of the current spread in Maine.”