Maine extends revised stay-at-home order


At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that she was extending the state’s stay-at-home order through May 31. The new order, which Mills called a “Stay Safer at Home Order,” relaxes restrictions on some businesses as part of the first stage of the state’s new reopening plan. Gatherings with more than 10 people are still prohibited, but beginning May 1, some businesses, such a barbershops, drive-in movie theaters, and auto dealers, can reopen with restrictions. Most state parks will reopen, according to Mills, and church services will be allowed to recommence, so long as they are drive-in, stay-in-your-vehicle services.

The reopening plan gradually relaxes restrictions on individuals and businesses over the course of four stages. The timeline, according to Mills, is flexible and dependent on COVID-19 trends and hospitalization rates. The second stage of the plan is tentatively slated to begin on June 1. The third stage is tentatively slated to begin July 1. There is no date associated with the fourth stage.

The order goes into effect on Thursday.