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Governor Mills thanks Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their partnership to support Maine people

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement after the President signed the CARES Act, an emergency COVID-19 relief bill, into law:

Governor Janet Mills today directed Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso to allow boaters to operate without a current 2020 registration and milfoil sticker until April 30, 2020. Boat registrations normally expire at the end of each calendar year. 

“With some town offices closed, and state offices closed to walk-in business due to the civil state of emergency, it made sense to relax the registration requirement until we can work out the all the logistical details,” said MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) today reported the first death of an individual who had tested positive for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was a man in his 80s from Cumberland County. Due to privacy laws, Maine CDC is limited in releasing further details.  

In response to the extraordinary generosity of Maine people, businesses, and organizations looking to help during these challenging times, Governor Janet Mills today launched a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to outline ways in which Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bureau of Parks and Lands announces steps to help slow the spread of coronavirus

Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa announced today that the State will extend the deadline for Maine income tax payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. The change aligns with the Federal government’s recent extension of the Federal tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020. 

Additional payments part of broader strategy to adapt policies to support Maine people

Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Jeanne Lambrew announced today a new measure helping the state's nursing facilities meet the financial challenges posed by COVID-19.

Two new orders bolster health care workforce and telehealth

The Administration of Governor Janet Mills has taken two actions to promote Maine people’s access to health care in response to COVID-19, which bolster the health care work force and facilitate the expansion of telehealth.

The Mills Administration through 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.  These agreements, signed on Sunday, March 22, identify the roles and responsibilities of Maine’s public higher education systems and MEMA and how the systems will assist with response and recovery efforts.

Governor also urges large essential businesses to limit in-store customers, enhance curbside pick-up and delivery services, and implement physical distancing measures to protect customer and employee health

Citing the “substantial toll” the COVID-19 pandemic is taking on Maine’s independent fishermen, acquaculturists, wholesale dealers, and seafood processors, Governor Janet Mills pressed President Donald Trump to marshal the resources of the federal government to support Maine’s vital fishing and seafood industries.

Governor Janet Mills today directed Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso to open all inland waters for fishing and to waive the requirement that anglers need a recreational fishing license to fish the inland waters of Maine. The order, which is effectively immediately, will run through April 30 and is intended to encourage Maine people to enjoy the outdoors as we confront the challenges associated with COVID-19. The Governor is considering additional measures to make Maine’s great outdoors more accessible to Maine people.

Pledge to continue to work together to support Maine people and Maine’s economy

Today, Governor Janet Mills and U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden convened a conference call to discuss the State’s response to COVID-19 and the Congressional Delegation’s work in Congress to support the State’s efforts.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has signed The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act to improve private health insurance for Maine people and small businesses.

Governor Janet Mills today pressed the Federal government to provide more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing supplies to the State of Maine. In a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, Governor Mills requested that the Federal government expedite the release of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile and pushed for “a steady and reliable supply” of testing materials as the outbreak intensifies.

Governor prohibits dine-in service at bars and restaurants; bans gatherings more than 10 people & signs emergency legislation to respond to COVID-19

Under authority granted to her in a civil state of emergency, Governor Janet Mills today issued an Executive Order mandating that all restaurants and bars statewide close to dine-in customers effective today

Governor Janet Mills and the State Legislature spearheaded a package of emergency measures to respond to COVID-19 today. One emergency bill grants Governor Mills access to at least $11 million in State funding to respond to COVID-19, while another omnibus emergency bill expands authorities of State and local officials to allow them greater flexibility to respond to the virus and to provide support to Maine workers impacted by the virus. The bills were enacted by the Legislature and Governor Mills will sign them tomorrow.

These measures include:

Governor & Attorney General also warn Maine people about COVID-19 related scams

In response to concerns about the potential for price gouging as Maine responds to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today issued a Declaration of Abnormal Market Disruption.

Proposal Targets Funds to Protect Maine People and Safeguard Maine’s Economy With COVID-19

Governor Janet Mills and Legislative leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on a revised supplemental budget proposal that protects the health and well-being of Maine people as the State responds to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. In a vote this evening, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee unanimously approved the proposal. 

Governor Janet Mills today called for the statewide cancellation of Saint Patrick’s events to prevent the gathering of large crowds and further encourage social distancing measures to mitigate the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maine.

State is one of the first in the nation to be approved

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today approved Governor Mills’ application for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help Maine businesses overcome any temporary loss of revenue due to the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.

In the wake of several new presumptive positive cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Janet Mills announced several new significant recommendations to respond to COVID-19 and signed a proclamation of civil emergency (PDF) to further protect public health. Governor Mills is recommending:

Governor Janet Mills is taking strong steps to protect Maine workers and small businesses impacted by the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Governor announces insurance emergency proclamation, temporary suspension of non-essential out-of-state work travel for State employees, and a recommendation to postpone large, indoor gatherings

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) will provide $4,567,500 to the State of Maine to support the State’s response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as (COVID-19).

Governor Janet Mills and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director (Maine CDC) Dr. Nirav Shah released the following statements in response: