Covid-19

Below is recent updates, information and resources on COVID-19

A Mask Mandate from the Governor

Governor Janet Mills announced Wednesday that she will toughen mask-wearing requirements, even as she relaxes quarantine and testing rules for visitors from three more states in the Northeast—Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Mills said a new executive order coming soon would require Maine businesses to enforce mask-wearing indoors. The order will require large retail stores, lodging establishments, restaurants, and outdoor bars and tasting rooms in the coastal counties and in the more populous cities of Bangor, Brewer, Lewiston and Auburn to enforce the state’s face-covering requirement. An executive order currently in place requires businesses to post signs reminding customers to wear a mask. “Especially seeing the dangerous trends in southern and southwestern states after they lifted restrictions dramatically, we have to take this virus seriously, and we must continue to protect one another,” Mills said at a media briefing.   

The Keep Maine Healthy Plan

In the midst of uncertainties about the course of the pandemic and the vitality of tourism in comparison to previous summers, The Keep Maine Healthy Plan aims to prevent a surge of COVID-19 while supporting the people, communities and businesses that rely on tourism and hospitality. The plan establishes three elements to reduce COVID-19 risks associated with travel.

1. Testing for the virus that encourages all visitors to “know before you go” 

2. Screening for symptoms among travelers

3. Local prevention to promote best practices and public health education. 

   Read more about the Keep Maine Healthy plan and Maine’s tourism season here.

Thank You MaineHousing

My committee, Labor and Housing, met at the State House and received some important updates from Maine State Housing Authority and the University of Maine. I’m so impressed with the steps MaineHousing has taken to keep Mainers safely housed during the pandemic. The rent relief program has been very effective at helping renters made ends meet, and yesterday Governor Mills announced the extension of the program to cover the month of June. This program provides rental assistance through a one-time, up to $500 payment directly to a landlord. When a landlord accepts payment, they agree not to evict the tenant for nonpayment for the month the payment was issued. Application materials and answers to commonly asked questions can be found here.

We also heard about the successful work MaineHousing, the University of Maine, Preble Street and others have done to provide shelter and prevent a surge of coronavirus among Mainers living without shelter. As with many of our experiences during the pandemic, this program has helped MaineHousing and others understand the vulnerabilities of our existing resources and services, and is leading to a new framework for a better system.

Government Assistance

On May 6th the Labor Committee convened in Augusta to meet remotely, each from a separate room in the State House. Take-aways from Commissioner Fortman's briefing: the volume of calls and complex layers of existing state and new federal benefits is unprecedented, the Department of Labor prioritized getting benefits to as many Mainers as possible, and they are bringing on more staff to resolve the problems some workers are facing. You may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a federal program that applies to independent contractors, gig workers and others who can’t get Maine unemployment benefits or have used all their benefits. Apply here.

Hopeful Developments

There is good news about a significant increase in Maine’s testing capacity, a core element of the reopening plan because it helps us limit outbreaks. The partnership between IDEXX and Maine’s CDC will triple our state’s testing capacity and allow rapid response to any suspected outbreak.

A new Economic Recovery Committee has been appointed by Gov. Mills that will make recommendations to mitigate the damage to Maine’s economy and jumpstart our recovery. The committee will focus on strategies to strengthen our industries and small businesses, workforce development, improved economic opportunities, investments in key sectors of Maine’s economy. Details about the committee’s membership and role can be found here.   

A staged plan to reopen Maine

Let’s continue to support local businesses using curb-side pick up, social distancing and mandatory masks as we move toward reopening. Stage 3, envisioned for July, allows for limited reopening of outdoor recreation such as boat excursions, bars, personal services (spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, massage facilities). Stage 4 contemplates lifting restrictions and allowing all businesses and activities to resume with appropriate safety precautions. A surge in COVID-19 in parts or all of Maine could mean adjusting the plan, including a return to all restrictions.

Voting Date Change

The date of our spring primary election has been moved from June 9 to July 14. The change provides more time for Mainers to request absentee ballots and more time for the Secretary of State to develop guidelines and help municipalities conduct in-person voting safely. Sign up now for an absentee ballot; it is a safe and easy way to ensure your vote is counted.

Income replacement – Maine benefits

Maine unemployment benefits will cover COVID related layoffs, reduced hours and leaves of absence due to the pandemic. If you are totally or partly out of work, apply for unemployment benefits by clicking here. You can also call one of the Career Centers for help. To improve access, the DOL has set a call schedule. If you last name begins with A-H, call on Mondays; I-Q call on Tuesdays; R-Z call Wednesdays. Those who miss or cannot get through can call on Thursday and Fridays.

A no-to-low interest loan program has been created to replace wages for eligible Maine independent contractors and self-employed people. The Loan Guarantee Program is run through FAME in partnership with your credit union or bank. Information is available at FAME’s COVID-19 Relief page.

Income replacement – federal benefits

Federal unemployment provides additional benefits to those who have used all Maine unemployment benefits, for up to 26 additional weeks. Please wait to apply, and check the Maine DOL’s COVID-19 page for updates on the application process.

Self-employed people and others who cannot access unemployment may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The application process for these benefits is being set up at this time. Please wait to apply, and check the Maine DOL’s COVID-19 page for updates on the application process. 

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation will provide an additional $600 weekly benefit. Please check the Maine DOL’s COVID-19 page for updates on the application process. 

Business help

Maine businesses can apply to the US Small Business Administration for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help overcome loss of revenue due to COVID-19.

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act creates the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses keep workers employed during the pandemic. It provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses, which may be forgiven for businesses that maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. Information can be found on the Maine State Chamber of Commerce website. Applications are not yet available.

Food help

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt at every link in Maine’s food chain. Here are some resources to give and receive help:

Any child in our community can receive grab ‘n go meals at Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, Monday–Friday from 4-5 pm. Help support this program here.

The South Portland Food Cupboard has been feeding neighbors in need for decades. Food distribution and donation information is available here.

Good Shepherd Food Bank has a map of resources for hunger relief agencies. You can help Good Shepherd respond to the COVI pandemic here.

Support local farms selling produce for pickup.

Apply to Maine DHHS for food and other programs.

211 Maine gives up-to-date access to food and other services: Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or email info@211maine.org

Other needs and deadlines

For immediate crisis intervention, call the 24-hour Maine crisis counseling center at 1-888-568-1112 to speak with a trained responder.

If you, a child or loved one is experiencing excessive worry, anxiety or other symptoms of mental illness, The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has a COVID-19 resource and information guide.

Maine Helps and Maine Equal Justice continuously updates its comprehensive information about health care, food security, evictions, court proceedings and other issues related to COVID-19.

Maine’s PUC has stopped all utility cut-offs until further notice. Eviction, Landlord—Tenant, Foreclosure and most court cases are not being scheduled or heard. Courts are open for Protection From Abuse, Protection From Harassment, Child Protection and other emergency cases

Federal and state tax filing deadlines have been extended to July 15.

Many state licenses and registrations that expire after March 15, including drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations, inspections, and boat registrations are extended until 30 after Maine’s emergency declaration ends.

Applications for property tax exemptions are also pushed to July.

We’re in this together!

It’s hard to feel lucky right now, but stories like these remind me that I’m fortunate to be facing this unprecedented crisis in a state where people pitch in, step up, and help each other. Everyone I speak with is contributing in some way to helping our communities and state get through the pandemic. Please let me know if there is any support I can provide or questions I can answer. I’m in this with you!