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While outdoor seated bar service is still permitted, indoor bar service presents a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission and is linked to outbreaks in several other states

The Mills Administration announced today that it is postponing the reopening of indoor service at bars to protect public health given the higher risk of COVID-19 transmission in such settings.

The Federal government earmarked billions to support agricultural producers impacted by the pandemic

On Friday, Governor Mills called for the USDA to designate maple syrup as an eligible Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) specialty crop. Doing so will create the pathway for Maine's maple producers to receive needed CFAP payments. Maple is currently ineligible for CFAP, and the industry is suffering due to a variety of factors due to COVID-19, including price drops, annual event cancellations, and restaurant closures.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on Juneteenth:

Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron M. Frey issued the following statements applauding today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court (PDF) rebuffing the Trump Administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Governor Janet Mills today mourned the passing of John Richardson, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. 

Governor Janet Mills today honored the life of Molly Neptune Parker, a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage fellow and former lieutenant governor at Indian Township.

The Mills Administration today released detailed guidance for Maine local governing bodies to hold gatherings, such as annual town meetings, school budget meetings, and elections, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance, which takes the form of a COVID-19 Prevention Checklist, was developed in close collaboration with public health officials, the Department of the Secretary of State, the Maine Municipal Association and other relevant associations and individuals.  

More than 500 essential workers and 1,600 providers receive financial relief, additional grants to be issued through mid-July

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that 525 essential workers have received financial help for child care and more than 1,600 child care providers have received stipends as part of the award of nearly $11 million in federal CARES Act funding to Maine. Additional grants will be awarded to child care providers through mid-July.

The Mills Administration announced today that it has accelerated the first day that lodging establishments in Maine can begin serving out-of-state visitors who meet either the 14-day quarantine requirement or the State’s new testing alternative. Lodging establishments may now begin serving these individuals on Friday, June 26 rather than Wednesday, July 1 (Stage 3). Accelerating the start date will help lodging establishments safely serve visitors during a key weekend of Maine’s tourism season  leading up to the July 4th holiday. 

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today on the hospitality and tourism industry’s proposed economic recovery plan:

As the State continues to respond to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today extended the State of Civil Emergency for thirty days through July 10, 2020.

Building on expanding capacity, the plan provides testing option as an alternative to Maine’s 14-day quarantine 

Plan furthers IDEXX partnership to quadruple testing capacity in July, advances swab-and-send site development, and makes testing available to more people in Maine

The Mills Administration announced today that it will quadruple COVID-19 testing capacity at the State lab, develop testing sites throughout Maine, and allow more people in Maine with elevated risk of exposure to get tested for the virus. This dramatically expanded testing capacity, which will come online in July, is critical to protecting the health of Maine people as well as visitors this summer.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the President’s visit to Maine:

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today ahead of the President’s scheduled visit tomorrow:

“I am proud of the extraordinary Maine companies, like Puritan Medical Products, who have adapted to meet the unprecedented challenges of this pandemic and whose work is saving lives. They are worthy of our praise and to them I am grateful.

Department of Economic and Community Development posts additional COVID-19 Prevention Checklists and continues its work on a proposed plan for the tourism season

Governor Janet Mills and MaineHousing announced today an extension of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. The rental assistance program, established in April, allows households that meet certain income and ability to pay requirements to receive a one-time, up to $500 payment in rental assistance to be paid directly to their landlord. With the extension, the program now covers rent for the months of April, May or June. 

Governor Janet Mills today mourned the loss of Alain Nahimana, the founder and Executive Director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center:

Infrastructure grants will bring universal service to the towns of Argyle, Bremen and Hudson. Planning grants awarded to Litchfield, East Grand Lake Region, Swans Island, and Sanford

Governor Janet Mills has directed the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) to offer to purchase perishable and non-perishable food from restaurants in York, Cumberland and Androscoggin counties that are unable to open to indoor dining as a result of measures to protect public health and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey issued the following statements today in response to the U.S. Department of Justice seeking to undermine the health and safety of Maine people:

Governor Janet Mills today released a letter she sent last Friday to the Legislature’s Presiding Officers in response to their request for a “Re-Opening Task Force”. The complete text of the letter is below.

Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order that allows for the gradual easing of restrictions implemented under previous Executive Orders as the state continues to reopen under the Restarting Maine’s Economy plan. As of today, Maine has reopened its economy on par with or to a greater extent than most other New England states.

Affirmation of Maine’s credit ratings come as other states see downgrades related to the COVID-19 pandemic