The Mills Administration today announced additional business reopenings under the Governor's rural reopening plan. Under the update, in 13 counties, tasting rooms and bars may open for outside service and gyms and fitness centers, nail salons, and tattoo and piercing parlors may open with added health and safety precautions beginning on Friday, June 12th. These establishments may reopen everywhere in all counties except for York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin Counties.

 

This update accelerates the reopening of bars and tasting rooms for outside service, as well as the reopening of tattoo and piercing parlors, all which were originally scheduled to reopen statewide as part of Stage 3 (July 1). It also allows gyms and fitness centers as well as nail salons to resume operations in these 13 counties. These updates come in light of low case count trends in these thirteen counties where the relative small number of cases has largely either remained steady or decreased. Consistent with past practice, these businesses must comply with added health and safety precautions in the form of COVID-19 Prevention Checklists as a condition of voluntary reopening.

 

The developments come as the Mills Administration also works to provide an alternative to the State's 14-day quarantine that seeks to protect the health and safety of Maine people and allow tourists to visit Maine safely and support our small businesses.

 

The Department of Economic and Community Development also posted statewide Stage 2 COVID-19 Prevention Checklists today for businesses. Additionally, in response to feedback from businesses and public health experts, the Department has updated guidance for some businesses that are already open. The checklists, written in close collaboration with industry leaders and public health experts, outline health and safety guidance that businesses and activity organizers must commit to comply with in order to reopen as part of the Administration's Restarting Maine's Economy Plan. DECD has also added individual sectors that may safely operate utilizing existing checklists for clarity purposes. Examples include photography and film businesses may operate utilizing the "general guidance" and mini-golf may operate using the "community sports" checklist.

Additional Checklists:

* Driver Education Schools

* Gyms and Fitness Centerso

* Tattoo and Piercing Parlors

* Barbering and Cosmetology Schools Updated Checklists:

* Retail

* Inland Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Activities

* Specific Guidance for Charter Boats instead of using Outdoor Activities

* Marinas