An important message to all Mainers:

Today, Governor Mills issued the Stay Healthy at Home Order. You can view the key details on the state site, here . This mandate overrides previous declarations from the Governor’s office, and does impact essential businesses that have remained open recently. 

Friends and colleagues- this mandate will last a month, and further disrupts our lives and local economy. This disruption is unsettling and could frighten us if we choose to let it. Here at the Chamber, we hope you choose to let this disruption comfort you, knowing that our shared commitment and collective action to limit movement limits exposure and keeps us all safe. It protects our healthcare workers, our grocers, our pharmacists, and our workforce. We will get through this because we are a community, together. 

-Shanna


Key New Information: 

Effective Dates - this goes into effect April 2nd at 12:01am, and lasts until April 30th. This means you have the remainder of today and all of tomorrow to prepare your business to again adapt. 

Limits to # of Customers - the mandate offers very clear limitations on the number of people in your store at anytime, and applies to all essential businesses. See below for details based on your store size. 

From Takeout to Curbside + Delivery - If you are a food business operating with takeout services, you will need to implement curbside pickup and delivery options as much as possible. 

Limits to Transportation - Private travel is limited to those within your immediate household, unless for essential activities. Public Transportation is to be used only for travel to essential goods or employment. 

Limits to Personal Proximity - At all times, in workplaces and in public, people must remain 6ft apart. 

Enforcement - This mandate shall be enforced by law enforcement, and will be considered a class E crime with up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. 

Want to check if you are essential? Check this list from DECD .
Want to request a designation as essential? Fill out this request.  

Do you have employees coming back to Maine from beyond Maine borders? They are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Educate them on this mandate, which is enforceable. 




" We are in the midst of one of the greatest public health crises this world has seen in more than a century. This virus will continue to sicken people across our state; our cases will only grow, and more people will die. I say this to be direct, to be as honest with you as I can. Because saving lives will depend on us.”
-Governor Janet Mills


Restricting Customers in Essential Businesses

  • Gas stations, convenience stores, and specialty food stores (less than 7,500sq ft) limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 5.

  • Stand-alone pharmacies and certain hardware stores (between 7,500 and 25,000 sq ft) limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 15. 

  • Mid-sized and local owned grocery stores (between 25,000 and 50,000 sq ft) limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 50. 

  • Chain Grocery Stores (between 50,000 and 75,000 sq ft) limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 75.  

  • Lowe’s, Wal-mart, Target and Home Depot (more than 75,000 sq ft) limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 100 and install protective shields between customers and checkout clerks as soon as practicable. 


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