Maine - COVID-19 Covered

Maine

Total Cases: 2,282 (May 30)
Tests Administered: 49,566 (May 30)
Fatalities: 89 (May 30)
Testing:
  • Drive-through COVID-19 testing will be available at four CVS pharmacies in Portland, South Portland, Biddeford, and Augusta starting May 29. (May 28)
  • Maine has received $52.7 million in federal assistance which will be put towards expanding the state’s lab capacity, bolstering rural hospital capacity, and establishing drive through testing sites. (May 21)
  • The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has eliminated its testing prioritization system, now allowing health care providers to test anyone suspected of having COVID-19. (May 18)
  • Maine will receive more than $52.7 million in federal assistance to “purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 testing.” (May 13)
  • Approximately $4.7 million will be distributed to 18 health centers in Maine to assist in COVID-19 testing expansions. (May 8)
  • Maine has partnered with IDEXX Laboratories to more than triple Maine’s COVID-19 testing capacity. (May 7)
  • The Maine CDC announced that COVID-19 antibody testing is now available through commercial laboratories in the state. (May 1)
  • As part of the CARES Act, Maine will receive $5 million to improve testing capacities within the state. (April 23)
  • Abbot Labs has delivered its first 1000 rapid COVID-19 tests to Martin’s Point Health Care in Maine. The tests provide results in just minutes. Martin’s Point Health Care has requested to receive 1000 tests per week from Abbot Labs. (April 7)
  • The state lab can test 100-200 individuals per day. Samples are tested at the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory and results are returned within 48 hours. (March 9)

ECONOMIC RESPONSE

Essential Service Designations:

  • Governor Mills signed an executive order requiring all non-essential businesses to close physical locations until April 8. Under the executive order, essential businesses include those identified by the US Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response.  (March 24)
    • The order also added several other activities that Maine considers “essential,” including fishing and aquaculture, essential home repair, grocery and household goods, and child care providers. (March 24)

Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:

  • Governor Mills announced that the full reopening of restaurants in York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties will be delayed indefinitely. Restaurants in those counties will be allowed to offer outside dining serves only beginning June 1. (May 27)
  • Governor Mills announced her administration will delay “the full reopening of gyms, fitness centers, and nail salons in light of emerging research and experiences in other states.” Originally slated to open June 1, the retail establishments are expected to fully reopen later in June. (May 19)
  • Maine campgrounds, including RV parks, may reopen May 22. (May 19)
  • Governor Mills announced Maine lodging providers can now begin accepting future reservations for stays with an arrival date of June 1 and later for all individuals who comply with the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement. (May 14)
  • As part of Maine’s Rural Reopening Plan, retail establishments and restaurants in certain counties are permitted to open on May 11 and 18, respectively, “with enhanced safety precautions.” (May 8)
  • Governor Mills’ Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy allows for the “limited expansion of certain businesses” beginning May 1, including barbershops, hair salons, pet groomers, auto dealerships, car washes, as well as drive-in movie theatres. (April 28)
  • The Portland City Council announced it will not enforce restrictions prohibiting nonessential businesses, including retailers, from shipping orders and offering curbside pickups, as detailed in the city’s stay-at-home order. (April 20)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order authorizing remote notarizations. (April 8)
  • Governor Mills and the Maine Congressional Delegation called on the Department of Defense to help “protect the health of shipyard employees in response to the second diagnosis of a BIW employee with COVID-19.” (April 3)
  • Governor Mills and Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew announced the state will accelerate MaineCare rate increases that are “designated to support pay raises for personal care workers,” which they said includes “personal support specialists, home health aides, private duty nurses, and other professionals who care for Maine’s older residents at home.” (March 30)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order suspending certain restrictions for job training funds managed by the MQC program of the Maine Community College System, including restrictions related to eligibility and employer matching funds. (March 27)

Economic Stimulus & Relief:

  • As part of the CARES Act, the Maine Department of Labor will receive $1.5 million in federal aid “to help address the workforce-related impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” (May 27)
  • Using federal funds issued through the CARES Act, the city of Portland will allocate $500,000 to a new rental assistance program for individuals who cannot pay rent or utilities due to a loss of income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. (May 18)
  • Governor Mills signed a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency through June 11, enabling the state to access federal aid to boost response efforts. (May 13)
  • As part of the CARES Act, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has received more than $4.3 million to bolster COVID-19 prevention in affordable housing complexes. (May 7)
  • The federal government has awarded nearly $2.5 million in aid to 19 Maine housing authorities to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to COVID-10 outbreaks in public housing. (May 6)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order forming an Economic Recovery Committee responsible for making “recommendations to mitigate the damage to Maine’s economy” as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (May 6)
  • As part of the CARES Act, Maine health care providers will receive more than $131 million in federal funding to assist them in fighting the coronavirus. (May 1)
  • The Maine Department of Labor announced the formation of the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provides unemployment eligibility to workers not typically covered by unemployment insurance, including self-employed individuals. (April 30)
  • Governor Mills has authorized the state Treasurer to expedite the delivery of over 4,000 property relief checks that were returned as undeliverable through the use of unclaimed property systems and networks to find the intended recipients. (April 24)
  • As part of the federal CARES Act, nearly $11 million in federal assistance will be used to help essential workers access childcare, as well as offer relief to childcare providers within Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic. (April 22)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order adjusting certain time frames and deadline requirements of Maine’s Loan Guarantee Program, which is intended to assist Maine residents “who have experienced a reduction in income” due to COVID-19. (April 21)
  • Maine received $625 million in federal funding as part of the CARES Act. The state is expected to ultimately receive a total of $1.25 billion in federal assistance. (April 17)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order that prevents tenant evictions during the state of emergency, as well as strengthens penalties for landlords who try to evict tenants unlawfully. (April 16)
  • Governor Mills announced a rental assistance relief program for individuals unable to pay rent due to COVID-19. The program will allow certain households to receive a one-time payment of up to $500 in rental assistance. (April 16)
  • Governor Mills extended the State of Civil Emergency through May 15, allowing her to deploy all available resources as long as the emergency remains declared. (April 14)
  • Maine Hospitals and other health care providers will receive $145.8 million in federal funding through the CARES Act. (April 10)
  • Governor Mills announced that President Trump approved the state’s major disaster declaration request, which will provide federal assistance for the state and its local governments. (April 4)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order that extended Maine’s tax application deadline to July 1. (March 31)
  • Governor Mills and Department of Administrative and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa announced that Maine has extended its income tax payment deadline to July 15, 2020. (March 26)
  • Governor Mills signed an omnibus package that extended unemployment insurance for those who have been impacted by COVID-19 and temporarily waived the waiting period for unemployment benefits. (March 18)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order banning price gouging for “necessities,” including paper products, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, personal hygiene products, medicine and medical supplies, food, and water. (March 17)

Business Support & Resources:

  • As part of the CARES Act, Maine will receive $20 million to support its seafood and fishing industry as it has suffered during the coronavirus pandemic. (May 7)
  • The City of Portland and the Greater Portland Council of Governments announced the launch of three new emergency business loan grant programs for companies impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. (May 5)
  • Governor Mills encouraged small businesses to apply for assistance through the Federal Paycheck Protection Program, which can provide loans for payroll, rent, and other operational expenses. (April 6)
  • Governor Mills announced the creation of a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to help Mainers and businesses deal with the pandemic. The website offers ways residents and businesses ways they can address “immediate needs”: financial support, health care and medical assistance, small business aid, and “connections with family, friends, and neighbors.” (March 27)
  • Governor Mills sent a letter to President Trump requesting his administration to consider financial aid, subsidies, and operating loans or loan deferment “to help [Maine’s] seafood industry survive this unprecedented moment.” (March 20)
  • Governor Mills asked the Small Business Administration to give Maine small businesses economic support loans to help offset losses caused by COVID-19. (March 15)

SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS

Shelter-In-Place Orders:

  • No records found as of May 29.
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order extending the state’s stay at home order through May 31. The order stipulates Maine citizens are allowed to frequent certain businesses deemed “safe to open” under Stage 1 of Maine’s Reopening Plan, including barbershops and hair salons, auto dealerships, car washes, and pet groomers. (April 29, May 2020)

Curfews:

  • No records found.

Social-Distancing Guidelines:

  • Governor Mills signed an executive order that required out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. (April 3)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order requiring all non-essential businesses to close physical locations until April 8. (March 24)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order specifying that businesses must practice social distancing by designating six-foot spacing by using signs or tape, making hand sanitizer available to employees, instituting separate operating hours for elderly patrons, and including information online regarding operating hours and best ways to reach the business or “continue services by phone or remotely.” (March 24)
  • Governor Mills issued an executive order banning gatherings of more than 10 people are banned until further notice. (March 18)
  • Governor Mills suspended out-of-state travel for all non-essential state employees. (March 12)

Delivery Services:

  • Per Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” order, dine-in restrictions for bars and restaurants are extended to at least April 30, while allowing for drive-through and takeaway service. (March 31)

SCHOOL CLOSURES

K-12:

  • Governor Mills and the Department of Education recommended schools continue distance learning for the remainder of the school year. (April 8)
  • Governor Mills signed an executive order that required public, private, and higher education to stop in-classroom instruction until at least May 1. (March 31)
  • Governor Mills recommended public schools cease classroom instruction “as soon as reasonably practical.” (March 15)
  • Maine has received a waiver allowing schools to give offsite meals if that school has qualified for a USDA Summer Food Service Program. (March 15)

State Higher Education:

  • Governor Mills signed an executive order that required public, private, and higher education to stop in-classroom instruction until at least May 1. (March 31)
  • Governor Mills announced that the Maine Emergency Management Agency has signed agreements with the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to “coordinate requests for assistance and the deployment of resources to assist in Maine’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.” (March 25)

Giving Oportunities

April 20, 2020

Requesting medical supplies, including masks, hospital gowns, and coverings for workers.

Produced by Marathon Strategies, an independent PR firm that delivers intelligent communications and research solutions. For information, email Phil Singer at COVID-19@marathonstrategies.com