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Breaking News | September 23, 2020
from the Maine State Chamber

We are sharing these recent news releases
from Governor Janet Mills with you to keep you informed of the changes to Maine's COVID-19 policies in a timely manner.

 

 

Mills Administration Exempts Massachusetts From Quarantine or Testing Requirement

While testing for travelers from Massachusetts and other exempt states is not required, it remains a recommended practice to protect the health and safety of visitors and Maine people

The Mills Administration announced today that, effective immediately, travelers from Massachusetts are now exempt from the requirement to get a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 14 days. 

 

The decision comes after the latest review of public health information by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which determined that Massachusetts now resembles exempt states like Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey in its COVID-19 prevalence and positivity rate. 

 

Maine’s quarantine or testing alternative requirement, as established by the Keep Maine Healthy Plan, has helped protect the health and safety of Maine people since its implementation over three months ago, and been replicated by numerous other states since then, including Massachusetts. This change includes Maine residents who may be traveling back to Maine from Massachusetts after visits for services such as health care.

 

“Protecting the health and safety of Maine people has always been our first and foremost goal,” said Governor Janet Mills. “We congratulate our friends to the south on their progress in mitigating the spread of the virus and ask them to continue to take all the appropriate precautions, as we know they will, to protect their health and safety and that of Maine people.”

 

“Maine’s policy has helped us protect our residents from COVID-19 while maintaining safe travel to and from other states,” said Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “We welcome Massachusetts’ addition to exempt states while urging extra caution for travelers coming or returning to Maine from other states.”

 

“Recent data show that the transmission risk in Massachusetts is similar to that in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey,” said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “We still recommend that people traveling from those states to Maine take advantage of readily available testing options as the best way to ensure the safety of Maine residents and visitors.”

 

The Mills Administration continues to strongly recommend that visitors from exempt states “Know Before You Go” and obtain a test before visiting Maine, for their safety and that of Maine people. Yesterday, Governor Mills announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has broadened its Standing Order to allow anyone in Maine to now get tested for COVID-19 without the need for a separate order from a health care provider. Visitors can find COVID-19 testing sites near them via the website https://get-tested-covid19.org/. Those taking reservations for lodging facilities in Maine are asked to advise all visitors that testing is encouraged, even if no longer required for people coming from certain exempt states.  

 

“Massachusetts visitors play a key role in our tourism economy,” said Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson. “We are hopeful for a strong fall tourism season as well as a robust ski season, and we are looking forward to Massachusetts residents being able to safely visit Maine.”

 

With the vast majority of Maine’s economy reopened under Governor Mills’ Restarting Maine’s Economy Plan, with Maine schools reopened, with 96 percent of child care providers reopened, and with more people interacting, it is critical that everyone take steps to protect themselves, their businesses, and others by wearing face coverings, keeping six feet distance whenever possible, and washing hands often with soap and warm water.  

 

As of September 22, 2020, Maine, adjusted for population, ranks 2nd lowest in the nation in terms of positive cases; 5th lowest in the nation in terms of deaths; the lowest in terms of patients ever-hospitalized out of the 36 states reporting; and 10th highest in the percentage of people who have recovered out of the 45 states reporting.

 

To Protect the Health of Students and Staff, Governor Mills Announces Additional Financial Support for School Systems Across Maine

 

Earlier today, Governor Janet Mills dedicated an additional $164 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to support school systems as they continue to implement health and safety protocols to protect students, staff, and their families amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These new funds build on the Mills Administration’s initial investment of $165 million earlier this year. Read more...

 

Mills Administration Broadens Standing Order to Allow Anyone in Maine to Get Tested for COVID-19

 

State's vastly expanded testing capacity must still be used wisely

 

On Tuesday, Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Health and Human Services Jeanne Lambrew announced that anyone in Maine can now get tested for COVID-19 without the need for a separate order from a health care provider, a milestone resulting from Maine's vastly expanded testing capacity.

 

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Copyright Maine State Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Katie Clark (207) 233-2230
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Board
    • Local Chambers of Commerce
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Member Companies
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Annual Meeting and Dinner
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Strictly Social
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • Impact Newsletter
    • The Bottom Line
    • The Maine Take
    • Making Maine Work
    • MERI Roll Call
    • OneVoice Maine Magazine
    • Policy Brief Series with Educate Maine
    • Press Kit
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Member Login