Restaurants can offer take-out, delivery only,
governor says
Press release
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, March 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. for a period of 14 days until midnight, March 31, 2020.
Take-out, delivery, and drive-through options can continue. In her order, the Governor also prohibited all gatherings of more than 10 people until further notice, mandating the latest U.S. CDC’s guidance on gatherings. In addition, Governor Mills strongly urged non-essential public-facing businesses, such as gyms, hair salons, theatres, casinos, shopping malls, to close their doors for the next two weeks to minimize public gatherings.
These new actions come as Governor Mills seeks to significantly strengthen social distancing measures in Maine. Social distancing is considered one of the most effective methods to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“I do not take these steps lightly. Maine’s small businesses and their workers are the backbone of our economy, and I understand that these actions will not only impact them, they will also disrupt the lives of Maine people,” said Governor Janet Mills. “However, COVID-19 continues to spread across Maine and more aggressive action is required to mitigate that spread and to protect the health and welfare of Maine people. My Administration is committed to working with businesses whose operations are affected by COVID-19. I continue to strongly urge all Maine people to take seriously the threat of this virus and to practice social distancing. We all have a responsibility to do our part.”
“We are continuing our work to find ways that we can support both Maine businesses and Maine workers during this challenging time,” said Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson. “DECD, in partnership with other departments in Governor Mills’ Administration, is committed to finding solutions and to partnering with other entities that can offer support to ensure that there are resources available for businesses impacted by the changes in the market as a result of the Coronavirus.”
Governor Mills’ Executive Order:
- Prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people statewide. Gatherings subject to this Order are those that are primarily social, personal, and discretionary events not work-related events. Such gatherings include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events; social clubs; sporting events with spectators; concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, and festivals; and any similar event or activity in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, gymnasium, fitness center or private club.
- Closes dine-in facilities at all restaurants and bars statewide. All restaurants and bars shall close their dine-in facilities. Such businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited. Such businesses offering carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage should employ social distancing best practices and minimize gathering of customers. The Governor urges Maine people to continue to support our establishments by purchasing take-out meals or by buying gift cards or other measures of support.
The Order will be reviewed prior to its expiration date for a determination of the need for revision and renewal.
In addition, Governor Mills strongly urged non-essential public-facing businesses, such as gyms, hair salons, theatres, casinos, shopping malls, to close their doors for the next two weeks to minimize public gatherings.
This does not include businesses that provide essential services including, but not limited to: food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair and hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical and health care, child care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and animal feed and supply stores, shipping stores, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.
Although these businesses may remain open, Governor Mills strongly urged Maine people to implement social distancing measures and to be thoughtful about the need to visit these businesses.
Other businesses, including but not limited to legal services, business and management consulting, professional services and insurance services, are encouraged to have employees work remotely. If that is not possible, Governor Mills urges employees to implement social distancing measures.
Governor Mills also signed into law today an emergency bill granting her access to at least $11 million in State funding to respond to COVID-19 and an omnibus emergency bill expanding authorities of State and local officials to allow them greater flexibility to respond to the virus. The bipartisan supplemental budget also provides $1 million to the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support public health nurses and cover costs of lab tests and other response efforts not otherwise federally funded.
Additionally, the emergency omnibus package she signed today temporarily revises eligibility for unemployment insurance to extend it to individuals whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19. It also temporarily waives the one week waiting period for benefits so that workers may obtain benefits faster and ensures that claims for UI will not affect an employer’s experience rating.
It also establishes a consumer loan guarantee program through FAME, in partnership with financial institutions, to provide low- or no- interest loans for eligible people in Maine.
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DECD, Labor call
In addition to the above, I - along with 170 other business leaders around the state - participated in a conference call this morning with the heads of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and the Maine Department of Labor. Highlights included:
* With the new flexibility in unemployment, the employer rating will not be charged, though the pool will eventually see a rise.
* While the one-week waiting period to qualify for unemployment is waived, the process to receive it still takes at least 10 days (including contacting the employer).
* Employers should sign-up for an online account to expedite claims. You can do that
HERE
.
* Employers should make it clear if they plan to reopen, even if that date is "sometime in the future." It will help the process.
* The DECD mentioned the new FAME loan program that will cover consumers and sole proprietors, offering $5,000 loans through local lenders that will be guaranteed through the DECD. A person can receive three of such loans in 2020.
* The statewide plastic bag ban has been pushed off until 2021.
* If you are interested in an SBA loan (you'll find details in the link below), or think you might one day need one, start your application NOW, to keep your place in line. Soon, all 50 states will be online and delays are expected.
* So far, no grants have been made available.
* Part-time employees can apply for unemployment, as can workers who hours have been reduced.
* There has been no raise in the maximum unemployment benefits at this time.
* If an employer sets a worker's hours to "zero," as they've heard some businesses have done, it WILL NOT effect an employee's ability to get unemployment.
* Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which can cover sole proprietors/self-employed people, must be triggered by the federal government. That had not yet happened at the time of this call (but things are evolving rapidly).
* Loans for large employers are in the works; DECD is working with partners to set those up.
* DECD is posting regular updates on twitter @MEDECD.
As we get more information we will share it with you.
Stay calm.
Stay informed.
Support your neighbors.
And let’s all look forward to better times ahead.
Laura
BUSINESS RESOURCE PAGE CAN BE FOUND
HERE
