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Androscoggin County,Maine,United StatesItalyMaine,United StatesYorkYork,Maine,United StatesNirav ShahJanet MillsAnimal VirologyAUGUSTA (WGME) -- Gov. Janet Mills on Tuesday ordered all non-essential Maine businesses and operations to close.
“We must do better," she said.
Gov. Mills mandated that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing, meaning those that allow customer, vendor or other in-person contact.
The order also closes non-essential business sites that require more than 10 workers to convene in a space where physical distancing is not possible.
Over 115 coronavirus cases reported in Maine
Non-essential businessesoperations
The order goes into effect at midnight and lasts until April 8."The next 15 days are critical for flattening the curve," Gov. Mills said.
Non-essential businesses and operations subject to the governor’s Executive Order include, but are not limited to, shopping malls, fitness and exercise gyms, spas, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo and piercing parlors, massage facilities, nail technicians, cosmetologists and estheticians, electrolysis services, laser hair removal services, and similar personal care and treatment facilities and services.
The Executive Order excludes businesses that provide essential services including, but not limited to: food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair and hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical, behavioral health and health care providers, child care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and animal feed and supply stores, shipping stores, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.
Gov. Mills is calling for more curbside deliveries and pickups, and for stores to limit the number of customers inside.
Gov. Mills said state government remains open, but offices have significantly moved to telework and dispatch from home, limited client engagement, and have required physical distancing within office buildings.
The Department of Administrative and Financial Services estimates that 70 percent of state government employees are working remotely.
Gov. Mills is urging Mainers to use the state’s online services and resources.
For those essential businesses that remain open, Gov. Mills strongly urged them to implement physical distancing measures.“Stay away from other people," she said.
She specifically urged high-traffic retail stores in Maine that provide essential goods and services to immediately employ strategies to reduce congestion in their stores, including:
- For stores with a physical retail space of more than 5,000 feet, limiting customers to no more than 100 at any one time
- Enhancing their curbside pick-up and delivery services
- Staggering their hours for shoppers of a certain age
- Closing fitting rooms
- Cautioning customers against handling merchandise they are not purchasing
- Marking six-foot measurements by the cashier stations and reminding customers to remain six feet apart while in store
- Staggering break times for employees and require frequent hand-washing
- Frequently sanitizing high-touch areas, such as shopping carts
Gov. Mills says she hopes she can avoid taking further steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, but it depends on the collective effort of Mainers.
She recommends that Mainers who are currently out of state should stay where they are for the time being.
There are 118 cases of the coronavirus in the state as of Tuesday. That’s up from 107 cases on Monday.
Fifteen people are hospitalized. Seven people have recovered. There have been 3,014 negative tests.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah is stressing social distancing. “Live your life as if COVID-19 is already in your community," Dr. Shah said. “What you do today will determine the health of your community tomorrow."
List of Maine schools, events canceled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns
Ten out of the 16 counties in Maine have cases. Cumberland County has the most with 74. York has 16.
Maine recorded its first case of COVID-19 on March 12. That individual, a woman in her 50s from Androscoggin County, is a U.S. Navy Reservist and recently traveled to Italy.
Gov. Mills issued an Executive Order on March 18 mandating that all restaurants and bars statewide close to dine-in customers until April 8. She also prohibited all gatherings of more than 10 people until further notice.
COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people. However, for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The Maine CDC stresses that if you have symptoms of coronavirus to call your doctor before showing up so that they can plan accordingly.
The Maine CDC and 211 Maine have launched a new option for Mainers to get answers to questions about COVID-19 at any time. This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org.
The CDC is offering these steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- If you are not sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
CLICK HERE for more information about coronavirus from the Maine CDC.
