We are in this together

Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
The Latest from the State House Regarding
Covid-19 Response
Dear Friend,

I want to start this week’s COVID-19 update with a thank you. I am grateful to each member of our community for the steps they are taking to protect our health. Thank you for staying at home when possible and practicing social distancing. Thank you for the support you’re giving our local businesses through online orders and curbside pick-ups. Thank you to the schools still providing meals for our students. Thank you for finding creative ways to lift each other’s spirits. Thank you for demonstrating why I am so proud to live in our community.

This week has brought with it more confirmed cases of COVID-19 and sadly, our first deaths. And as a result, the Governor has increased our state’s response to the pandemic. On March 31, Gov. Mills issued a new “Stay Healthy at Home” order, a statewide mandate effective April 2. Please read this email in its entirety for details on what the order means for you.

Until May 1, everyone in Maine is required to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason.

Those reasons include: grocery shopping, obtaining medical care or medication, providing care to another person, caring for livestock, engaging in outdoor exercise or walking a pet (while observing the appropriate social distancing measures), travels related to child care, or commuting to and from work for an essential job. You can still visit essential businesses ([link removed]) that provide you necessary supplies and are open with curbside pick-up, such as restaurants or laundromats. There is also a provision that allows people who work at non-essential businesses to travel to and from their jobs to perform non-public-facing work or to deliver goods.

To keep people at home, the order also mandates the continued termination of classroom or other in-person instruction until at least May 1, and it prohibits the use of public transportation unless for an essential reason or job that cannot be done from home.

Mainers are also now prohibited from traveling in vehicles with anyone outside their immediate household. And you must stay six feet apart from people outside your immediate household.

Finally, the order puts additional restrictions on the essential businesses that are staying open. Namely, Governor Mills has outlined exactly how many people can be in spaces of a certain size. She is also requiring that grocery stores disinfect the handles of every cart and basket between uses, minimize customer handling of unpurchased merchandise and offer separate operating hours for Maine people over the age of 60 and those with underlying medical conditions.

While we all hope formal enforcement of these mandates will not be necessary, violations are subject to up to six months in jail and $1,000 fines. The Governor’s full press release and executive order can be found at this link ([link removed]) .

FREQUENTLY USED RESOURCES

Here are some resources that address a few of the concerns I’m hearing most:
* A Maine Department of Labor factsheet ([link removed]) and COVID-19 webpage ([link removed]) to help navigate unemployment insurance benefits.
* The website for small businesses ([link removed]) to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the US Small Business Administration.
* A compilation of resources ([link removed]) created by Maine Equal Justice for folks with concerns about health care, food security, evictions, court proceedings and other issues during this time.
* Guidance for municipalities ([link removed]) regarding the Legislature’s approval of measures to increase flexibility.
* Detailed information on the FAME COVID-19 Consumer Loan Guarantee Program ([link removed] ) offering low-or-no interest loans to qualifying applicants.
* An online application ([link removed]) for businesses that believe they should be classified as essential under Gov. Mills March 24 Executive Order.
* A resource to get answers any time by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211 or emailing [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Our local media is indispensable, particularly during a public health crisis like the one we are experiencing. If you are able, I wanted to encourage you to purchase a subscription to support this vital public service. We owe a debt of thanks to the editors, journalists and their support staff who have continued to produce current, factual information for our communities.

I know that each week these emails I send you bring news of more and more changes to our lives. Change is hard, especially when caused by a threat to our public health. But I want to remind you all of one thing: Mainers have a spirit that can get us through anything. We’re resourceful, we’re caring and we’re strong. That will never change.

As we continue to fight this public health crisis, remember that we are in it together. I am here to help you in any way I can, and I know our neighbors are, too. Now more than ever, please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.
Sending you best wishes for your health and safety,

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(207) 287-1300 | ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

#2 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

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Speaker Sara Gideon . #2 State House Station . Augusta, Maine 04330 . USA