March, 2020 On March 2, 2020, Governor
Janet Mills convened a coronavirus response team, led by
Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to coordinate state efforts against the virus. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention began its response efforts in December 2019 when the virus was first reported in Wuhan, China. On March 15, 2020, Governor Janet Mills declared a civil
state of emergency which allows the governor to establish emergency reserves of products, allows the state to access federal funding to combat the outbreak, and allows for suspension of certain laws. Governor Mills recommended halting classroom instruction in Maine and stopping all gatherings of more than 50 people, or more than 10 people if senior citizens were involved in the gathering. On March 16, 2020, Maine was one of the first states to have its application for the United States
Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan approved, which would help businesses in Maine recover financial losses due to coronavirus closures. On March 16, Governor Mills also called for all Saint Patrick's Day events to be cancelled throughout the state. The Maine Legislature also enacted a supplemental budget of $73 million which focused on coronavirus response, including $1 million to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, $15 million to increase MaineCare reimbursement rates for health care providers, and $38 million to K-12 education to help in the wake of school closures. On March 17, 2020, Governor Mills issued a Declaration of Abnormal Market Disruption, which prohibits specific essential items from being sold at unconscionable prices, including paper products, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and medical supplies. Governor Mills also announced an emergency measures package which was approved by the legislature to provide $11 million in state funding for COVID-19 response, expand State and local authorities to allow greater flexibility in virus response, and to provide additional support to impacted workers. On March 18, 2020, Governor Mills issued an executive order which mandated all bars and restaurants close to dine-in customers, but allowed take-out, delivery, and drive-through to continue. All gatherings of 10 or more people were prohibited, and non-essential businesses such as gyms, hair-salons, casinos, and malls were urged to close to minimize gatherings in public. She also convened a conference call with Senator
Susan Collins, Senator
Angus King, Representative
Chellie Pingree, and Representative
Jared Golden to discuss the State response to the pandemic. Additionally, Governor Mills signed an executive order to require school districts to continue paying hourly employees for the duration of the school year. On March 19, the City of Bangor announced that the Community Connector bus service would begin only allowing people to enter from the rear of the bus to encourage social distancing beginning on March 20. Passengers using walkers and wheelchairs were allowed to board from the front of the bus. As more social distancing practices were put into effect, the City of Bangor began using an honor system for the bus service and asked that passengers not occupy the seats directly behind the driver. On March 20, 2020, Governor Mills opened waters to inland fishing and suspended license requirements until April 30 to encourage individuals to go outside during the pandemic. She wrote a letter to
President Donald Trump to request financial assistance, subsidies, operating loans, or other measures to support the seafood industry, fishermen, and
aquaculture. She also issued an executive order which would allow licensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurses who were licensed in another state to be issued an emergency Maine license valid through the declared state of emergency. On March 24, the City of Portland announced that the manager has signed a stay-at-home order beginning on March 25 for all non-essential businesses and services in Portland, with a potential end date on April 27. On March 26, the City of South Portland also announced a similar order beginning March 27 except for permitted activities. On March 25, 2020, Governor Mills signed an executive order which enhanced the health care workforce and
telehealth efforts by allowing physicians, physicians assistants, and nurses to obtain relevant licenses to deliver health services remotely and have those remote services be covered by insurance companies. On March 26, 2020, Governor Mills extended the deadline for state income tax payments from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Additionally, ten state parks were closed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands on March 26, including
Reid State Park,
Popham Beach State Park,
Fort Popham,
Fort Baldwin, Kettle Cove State Park,
Two Lights State Park,
Crescent Beach State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park,
Ferry Beach State Park, and
Mackworth Island. Nursing homes were also now able to request funds to help respond to the pandemic within their facilities. On March 30, Maine Governor
Janet Mills issued "a Stay Healthy at Home directive that requires people living in Maine to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason, such as obtaining food, medicine, health care, or other necessary purposes."
April, 2020 On April 3, Governor Mills enacted an executive order which mandated travelers arriving in Maine to self-quarantine for 14 days. Under this order, travelers were required to quarantine upon arrival regardless of their state of residency. This order also suspended hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, short-term rentals, RV parks, campgrounds, and all public and private camping facilities. On April 7, Governor Mills issued an executive order that expanded healthcare access to Maine residents. This order allowed all health care providers that were licensed under the
Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, including
social workers and
physical therapists, to provide services via
telemedicine. This order also extended license expiration and renewal dates. On April 10, Gov. Mills rescheduled Maine's congressional and legislative primary elections from June 9, 2020, to July 14. Mills' executive order also expanded the ability to request absentee ballots, which may now be done up to and on election day. On April 15, Gov. Mills extended Maine's state of civil emergency through May 15, 2020. The rent relief program began with $5 million and allowed households to receive a one-time, up to $500 payment in assistance to their landlord. This service is a collaborative effort between the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Department of Public Safety's Emergency Medical Services, the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, The Opportunity Alliance, The Maine Psychological Association, and the Maine Chapter of the
National Association of Social Workers. The plan had four stages, with stage one slated to begin on May 1. Later stages discussed revisiting limitations on gatherings,
stay-at-home orders, and reservations and capacity limits for restaurants, gyms, retail stores, and campgrounds. This order allowed Maine residents to visit businesses and participate in activities that were safe under Stage 1 of the governor's reopening plan, including drive-in theaters, hair salons, golf courses, and car washes. Residents were advised to continue
remote work if able, were prohibited to gather in groups of more than 10 people, and were subject to 14 day quarantines upon entry into the state. The order also required residents of Maine to wear cloth face coverings in public places where physical distancing could not be achieved, such as within retail stores and taking public transportation.
Baxter State Park, a park independent of the state park system, announced it would close until at least July 1, only permitting walk-in day hikes.
Acadia National Park announced it would close indefinitely to prevent first responders from being exposed to the virus in the event of an injury and to prevent travel by visitors to the area.
May, 2020 On May 6, 2020, Gov. Mills announced that she would create an Economic Recovery Committee to develop recommendations to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Maine's economy. The committee consists of thirty-seven members, and is co-chaired by
Laurie Lachance, President of
Thomas College and former Maine State Economist, and Josh Broder, the CEO of Tilson.
June, 2020 As part of Stage 2 of the Restarting Maine's Economy plan, Gov. Mills allows large social gatherings and religious gatherings consistent with the state's size limitations with added health and safety precautions. On June 11, 2020, Gov. Mills extended the COVID-19 civil state of emergency through July 10, 2020.
July, 2020 Gov. Mills on July 8, issued an Executive Order requiring large businesses, including retail establishments in Maine to enforce the State's face covering requirement.
May, 2021 On May 15, 2021, Gov. Mills extended the COVID-19 civil state of emergency through June 13, 2021.
June, 2021 On June 11, 2021, Mills announced the end of the state of emergency originally started on March 15, 2020, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The state of emergency ended June 30, 2021.
November, 2021 On November 10, 2021, The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced it would be receiving 6.5 million in funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases program to combat COVID-19. ==Impact on colleges and universities==