AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Retailers in 12 counties that have not experienced large numbers of coronavirus cases began reopening Monday in Maine.

New guidelines announced late last week by Gov. Janet Mills allow retail stores to reopen with enhanced safety precautions in all parts of Maine except four counties: York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Penobscot. Restaurants follow on May 18.

The Maine Center for Disease Control will be monitoring infection rates and will make suggestions if there’s an increase, said Dr. Nirav Shah, CDC director.

“We’re continuing our analysis of the data because we want to make sure that if a secondary spike were to occur, that we’re able to spot it and able to take policy steps accordingly,” Shah told reporters.

LaNiece Sirois from the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce encouraged customers to be patient as retailers sort out safety restrictions. Among other things, retailers have limits on how many people can be in a store at a time, she said.

Restaurants are preparing to reopen in week.

“The priority for us is giving the community an outlet to come join us. I feel like, sure, people want to go and have a meal but more than that they want to reconnect with people in their community,” said Ken Hall from JR Maxwell’s Restaurant in Bath.