Soooo - Governor Mills has come out with an extension of the stay at home order, etc. The way I read the stages, gathering over 50 people will likely not be permitted in June, and it is unclear whether that will change in July.
Below is the summary...Thoughts?
The Plan to Restart Maine’s EconomyThe staged plan builds on the Governor’s current Executive Orders, which already allows grocery stores, pharmacies, financial institutions, home repair services, child care agencies, and car repair services, among others to operate, and then allows for the safe reopening of those businesses not currently operating. The upcoming four stages as contemplated by the Governor’s plan are:
Stage 1 (May):Beginning May 1, Stage 1 continues the prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people, the quarantine of all people entering or returning to Maine for a period of 14 days, and the special precautions for older Mainers and others at risk of COVID-19. It calls for people who are able to work from home to continue to do so, including State employees. It will also newly require that Maine people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and continue strict requirements for long-term care facilities. Guidance on cloth face coverings will be issued in the coming days. Stage 1 also allows for the limited expansion of certain business, religious, and quality of life activities, with appropriate safety precautions. These include:
Health care from Maine-licensed providers, with recommendations that they prioritize care for patients with time-sensitive conditions; assure the safety of patients, staff, and communities; manage the use of essential resources such as personal protective equipment and testing supplies; and pace re-opening services to the level of community COVID-19 activity, maintaining capacity in our hospitals for potential outbreaks
Personal services: Barber shops, hair salons, and pet grooming
Limited drive-in, stay-in-your-vehicle religious services
Drive-in movie theaters
Outdoor recreation: guided outdoor activities (hunting & fishing) and restricted use of golf and disc golf courses
State parks, state-owned public land trails, and historic sites; although certain coastal state parks will remain closed
Auto dealerships and car washes
Stage 2 (June):Tentatively beginning June 1, Stage 2 contemplates revising the limitation on gatherings from less than 10 people to less than 50 people. It also calls for people who can work from home to continue to do so but allows for employees in certain fields to begin to reenter the office as needed, including State employees. It maintains the 14 day quarantine for all people entering or returning to Maine and the special precautions for older Mainers and others at risk of COVID-19. With appropriate safety precautions, Stage 2 would allow for some degree of opening with reservations, capacity limits, and other measures for:
Restaurants
Fitness and exercise centers and nail technicians
Retail stores for broader in-store shopping
Lodging and campgrounds for Maine residents and those who have met the 14 day quarantine requirement
Day camps for Maine children and those who have met the 14 day quarantine requirement
Coastal State parks
Stage 3 (July & August):Tentatively beginning July 1, Stage 3 contemplates maintaining the prohibition on gatherings of more than 50 people and other Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine on people entering Maine. With appropriate safety precautions, Stage 3 would allow for some degree of opening for:
Lodging, such as hotels, campgrounds, summer camps, or RV parks for Maine residents and visitors. The Administration is developing guidelines to assist them in safely reopening, and reservations should not be taken until those guidelines are issued.
Outdoor recreation such as charter boats and boat excursions
Bars
Personal services such as spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and massage facilities, among others
Stage 4 (Timeline Undetermined):Stage 4 contemplates lifting restrictions and allowing all businesses and activities to resume with appropriate safety precautions.
Governor Mills' Office says they do not believe it will be safe to accept cruise ships with more than 50 people this summer. That assessment will be reviewed in September.
They are also working on a plan for schools to reopen in the fall.