COVID Chronicles: news of the coronavirus crisis
Courtesy / FDA
The novel coronavirus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, has sickened people around the world and in all 50 states.
The COVID-19 outbreak is affecting Mainers every day. As the crisis evolves, Mainebiz is committed to keeping readers informed about what this means for the state's business community, just as we've always worked to provide you with business insight for over 25 years.
To read how Mainebiz has approached the crisis, please see this March 16 letter from our editor.
To learn how federal relief legislation can help your business cope with the impact of the pandemic, check out replays of two free webinars Mainebiz has hosted. These discussions, both with expert panelists, focus on the Paycheck Protection Program and the EIDL Program and other financing available.
Mainebiz has also hosted a webinar for businesses preparing to reopen after the imposition of state public health restrictions. Part one of the webinar, "What Does 'Open' Look Like?" is available for replay here.
And please visit this page often to see the latest news about Maine business and the coronavirus.
Recent COVID content
Mills lifts limits on outdoor gatherings to 100 with social distancing requirements (July 30)
On the Record: Pamela Laskey, founder of Maine Foodie Tours, now takes a different path (July 27)
When Abbott had to ramp up COVID-19 tests, this contractor had to do 'the impossible' (July 27)
Whatever works: Reinventing the office in a post-COVID world (July 27)
Safety message is key to opening Maine tourism economy, subcommittee says (June 26)
One Longfellow Square in Portland sets new fundraising goal of $175K (June 26)
Giving notebook: United Way STEM funding, Coffee By Design arts grants (June 22)
Nonprofit notebook: Portland arts spot is crowdfunding; CEI gets $100K gift (June 16)
Portland on-street business program grows as city mulls enhancements (June 10)
Credit union's month-long drive benefits 31 southern Maine charities (June 10)
Maine nonprofit group publishes reopening plan for charitable organizations (June 9)
Maine college leaders map out plan for safely reopening this fall (June 5)
King bill to tweak small-biz relief program heads to Trump's desk (June 4)
Higher ed notebook: UMaine System 'resilience badge,' USM scholarships (June 2)
Small-biz relief program on track for 'mid-course correction,' King says (May 29)
Restaurant reopenings will be limited to outdoor seating in three Maine counties (May 28)
Maine Bankers chief says current crisis is 'very different' from 2008 (May 28)
264 Maine workers earn COVID Readiness Badges in first week (May 28)
Maine scores near the top in national ranking for COVID-19 health infrastructure (May 27)
Maine brewers urge state to tweak reopening timelines (May 27)
BIW vendor tests positive for COVID-19; Portland restaurant closes temporarily (May 27)
Scaled-down Waterville, Camden film festivals to be held at drive-ins (May 26)
Loans, grants are available to keep Maine small businesses open (May 26)
Downtown group introduces Ellsworth-specific safety signs (May 26)
Congdon's food truck park to see new safety measures, fewer trucks (May 26)
Bar Harbor attractions facing 'massive cancellations' this summer (May 26)
Derailed for now, five small businesses make changes to stay on track (May 22)
Compliance, communication key as businesses reopen, experts say in Mainebiz webinar (May 22)
With 23 COVID-19 cases, Augusta construction site adds further safety measures (May 21)
Thinking on their feet: Restaurant owners adapt to changing times (May 21)
Reopening checklist help offered by HospitalityMaine, EMCC (May 21)
In Arundel, marine trade school tries a new tack to weather pandemic (May 21)
As economy reopens, Maine state chamber launches COVID-19 public awareness campaign (May 21)
Some Maine businesses can reopen sooner, some later, under modified state plan (May 20)
Maine Community Foundation awards $1.2M in COVID-19 grants (May 20)
Kittery shipyard, too, will produce coronavirus test swabs (May 20)
Amid pandemic, Maine farmers markets are busier than ever (May 20)
Portland council OKs outdoor restaurant, retail plan (May 19)
Dozens of Maine business owners urge Mills to continue quarantine (May 19)
Bristol Seafood temporarily closes to confront outbreak; Cianbro site cases up to 19 (May 19)
'Rural reopening' continues; Portland council to vote on opening outdoors (May 18)
Maine CDC looking into COVID-19 cases related to Cianbro Augusta construction site (May 18)
How Maine's credit union chief sees the sector evolving post-COVID-19 (May 18)
Quarantine requirement poses added challenge for hotels and inns reopening (May 15)
Maine traffic from Canada plummets during pandemic (May 15)
Getting Mainers back to restaurants may take a while, survey shows (May 15)
Survey says Maine businesses expect significant economic losses because of pandemic (May 14)
Heaven-sent help? Pittsfield church vestment maker pivots to PPE (May 14)
As it hires another 2,000, Hannaford says communication is key to biz reopening (May 14)
Portland mulls closing streets to help retailers reopen (May 13)
Pandemic is driving volatility in energy market, Maine experts say (May 13)
Biddeford manufacturer launches low-cost face shield (May 13)
Bangor will postpone — and rebrand — its July 4th celebration (May 13)
Rockland to close Main Street to traffic to spur shopping (May 12)
Maine hackathoners partner with digital health provider to check for COVID-19 (May 12)
Maine dentists criticize Mills' reopening plan for not including them (May 12)
Closed after finding COVID-19 hot spot, Tyson plant in Portland adds testing, reopens (May 12)
UMaine team has created a statewide production hub for making critically needed PPE (May 11)
Retail businesses in 12 Maine counties may reopen, with restrictions (May 11)
Higher ed notebook: $8.9M in emergency student aid and new workforce training programs (May 11)
Maine fishing industry to receive $20.1M in federal aid (May 8)
Maine banks handling smaller loans in 2nd bailout round, as policy debate rages (May 8)
IDEXX testing partnership is 'game changer' for state's reopening plan (May 8)
WEX scraps acquisitions as virus impact hits travel sector; undershoots on earnings (May 7)
IDEXX gets OK for human coronavirus test, and Maine is buying the test kits (May 7)
Committee to look at easing long-term COVID-19 economic impact on Maine (May 7)
BIW signs contract to build swab machines for Puritan Medical Products (May 7)
Pandemic may mean bleak season for Maine's longstanding agricultural fairs (May 6)
Luke’s Lobster, fishermen's co-ops launch partnership for front-line workers (May 6)
Housing authorities across Maine to share $2.45 million for pandemic relief (May 6)
CEI teams up with Mass. foundation to provide $100K in debt relief for Maine farms (May 6)
Tyson Portland employees tested for COVID-19 as plant remains closed (May 5)
Poll: Have you or your business stepped up charitable giving in response to the coronavirus crisis? (May 5)
Maine chambers gather business input on safely reopening state's economy (May 5)
Giving Tuesday Now: Maine businesses, nonprofits step up to meet critical needs (May 5)
Creative Portland raises $75K for local artists hit by crisis (May 4)
$317M awarded to small Maine businesses in 2nd bailout round (May 4)
Maine's Tri for a Cure fundraiser goes virtual (May 4)
Swab maker will double output in partnership with Cianbro, BIW (May 1)
Poland Spring, trade group launch $100K relief fund for small tourism businesses (May 1)
Maine Boat & Home Show is docked until next year (April 30)
Growing Maine medical device provider pivots to COVID-19 fight (April 30)
Coronavirus forces cancellation of Maine's largest road race, the TD Beach to Beacon (April 30)
Mills unveils plan to reopen Maine economy in stages, but not 'flipping a switch' (April 29)
Maine health care providers receive $42M from feds for COVID-19 battle (April 29)
Business leaders from Portland to Presque Isle concerned about reopening plan (April 29)
Mills may reopen Maine's economy but extend home-stay mandate, as numbers rise (April 28)
Maine farmers' markets reopen, but with social distancing and other precautions (April 28)
Portland expected to lengthen stay-at-home order, consider CDBG funding (April 27)
Maine transit services clean up, tighten up safety precautions (April 27)
After financing frenzy, Maine lenders launch second round of small-biz bailout (April 27)
Acadia group helps people maintain connections to park — without visiting (April 27)
UMaine System offers tuition break to other students stranded by COVID-19 (April 24)
Mills lays out vision to reopen economy gradually, as businesses await more fed relief (April 24)
$13.5M in fed funds will support Maine's rural health system, child care providers (April 24)
Unemployed Mainers may get a 'raise,' and it's the highest in the US (April 23)
Maine State Music Theatre cancels season; performing groups adapt to new normal (April 22)
Maine small-biz funding roundup: more loans, fintech and options for self-employed (April 22)
Biddeford trucking company offers free service for pandemic response (April 22)
UMaine System prepares to bring students back to campus, despite shutdown (April 21)
Poll: Do you now wear personal protective equipment when you go into a public place? (April 21)
Maine nonprofits demand more federal relief under CARES Act (April 21)
IDEXX works on test for coronavirus in humans, after launching one for pets (April 21)
Charleston meat producer sees pandemic-driven spike in sales (April 21)
Calls grow to expand small-biz loans after 15,000 Maine firms get $1.9B (April 20)
Shipyards, prisons and other non-medical users seek Maine-made face masks (April 20)
Puritan Medical Products reportedly ordered to make more swabs under Defense Production Act (April 20)
State halts most evictions, asks landlords to work to avoid foreclosures (April 17)
During COVID-19, some Maine lawyers are writing more wills (April 17)
WEX cuts jobs as COVID-19 impact hurts demand (April 16)
Maine banks recovering after stimulus checks create online traffic jams (April 16)
From pro golf to college classes, crisis could affect Maine's summer plans (April 16)
Baxter State Park, wary of visitors from away, delays opening until July 1 (April 16)
USM delays Lewiston campus move, citing COVID-19 challenges (April 15)
Help could be on the way for Portsmouth shipyard workers during pandemic (April 15)
Portland nonprofit donates emergency supplies, with help of unexpected find (April 15)
Maine Med patients begin taking part in COVID-19 drug trials (April 14)
Augusta, Gardiner downtown associations partner on emergency business grants (April 14)
Maine colleges to receive $41M in emergency aid; transit gets $83M (April 14)
Trek Across Maine cycling fundraiser will be virtual (April 14)
Yarmouth chamber cancels this year's Clam Festival due to pandemic (April 13)
Pandemic delays launch of Maine's recreational marijuana market (April 13)
Maine retail group chief worried about crisis-hit sector, welcomes new customer limits (April 13)
Maine jobless claims hit another high, but funding for small business starts to flow (April 10)
MaineHealth changes employee hours and roles, hasn't cut jobs or pay so far (April 10)
Thomaston boatbuilder develops a high-tech form of personal protective equipment (April 9)
Central Maine Healthcare furloughs 10% of staff because of COVID-19 measures (April 9)
DECD head says state plans 'thoughtful, aggressive' response to crisis (April 8)
Bar Harbor extends cruise ship ban to July 1 (April 8)
Maine nonprofits are in 'extremely tough spot' due to public health crisis (April 8)
Hannaford gives $225K to fight Maine's worsening hunger and homelessness (April 8)
Maine small businesses, individuals should be wary of COVID-19 scam surge (April 7)
As pandemic worsens, UMPI, nonprofit team to open homeless shelter on campus (April 7)
Telehealth takes off in Maine as virtual medical appointments gain ground (April 6)
Maine techies launch 'stay home' pledge site to flatten the curve (April 6)
Maine hotels, other lodging businesses close after emergency order (April 6)
Economic damage to small businesses continues to skyrocket, NFIB says (April 6)
Banking in the age of coronavirus: Insights from Maine bank and credit union chiefs (April 6)
Don Oakes, CEO of Sea Bags, battens down for stormy weather (April 6)
King talks COVID-19 '3.1,' telehealth and broadband connectivity (April 3)
Maine biotech companies stepping up, and hiring, in COVID-19 fight (April 3)
Report projects more than 61,000 jobless in Maine by June (April 2)
Maine unemployment claims hit new high last week (April 2)
Crowded field of Maine businesses expected in race for $349B in small biz loans (April 2)
SBA to have $349B payroll stimulus program up and running this week (April 1)
Mills orders residents to stay home, tightens essential business restrictions (April 1)
Machias Savings offers $100K in grants for Maine nonprofits (April 1)
Portland extends stay-at-home order, Immigrant Welcome Center demands fairness (March 31)
Maine relaxes deadlines for license renewals, vehicle registrations and more (March 31)
USM, Preble Street team up to open Portland homeless shelter during crisis (March 30)
Farmer, consumer resources sprout as season begins amidst COVID-19 (March 30)
Portland nonprofit will eliminate 248 Maine jobs (March 27)
Maine closes 10 state parks and beaches, cites concerns about others (March 27)
Bangor, Norway savings banks temporarily shut some of their branches (March 27)
York County towns close beaches, promote restaurants (March 26)
Maine weekly jobless claims surge past 20,000 (March 26)
Maine ranks 8th in U.S. for aggressiveness of coronavirus response (March 26)
Flowfold making face shields, American Roots 'racing to retool' in response to crisis (March 26)
Crisis forces permanent closure of Sherman’s bookstore Camden location (March 26)
Concord Coach bus line suspends all Maine service (March 26)
Brunswick company to provide ‘isolation rooms’ for health care sites (March 26)
Mills restricts nonessential businesses, Portland tells residents to stay home (March 25)
Maine Mall closes after Mills' mandate (March 25)
Creative Portland seeks to raise $50K in emergency relief for local artists (March 25)
WEX to limit hiring to 'business-critical positions' (March 24)
Survey: Small business disruption has skyrocketed during health crisis (March 24)
Poll: Are you seeing an upside to working remotely or sheltering in place because of the pandemic? (March 24)
Maine businesses pitch in to help meet need for emergency supplies (March 24)
Harvard Pilgrim gives $220K to Maine nonprofits for help during crisis (March 24)
Portland suspends fee on single-use grocery bags (March 23)
Mills urges federal aid for Maine's fishing and seafood industries (March 23)
Maine techies fast-track app development to 'flatten the curve' (March 23)
Bar Harbor asks visitors to stay home — for now (March 23)
Maine businesses make the pivot to put planned in-person events online (March 20)
CMP, Emera stepping up measures to keep customers' power on during crisis (March 20)
Police passes and nitrile gloves: Global crisis means changes on Maine's roads (March 19)
Maine's 'unbridged' islands hunker down (March 19)
King: 'Help is definitely on the way' for small businesses in Maine (March 19)
Chambers look to support economy after Mills' order halts dining in, gatherings (March 19)
State responds to business disruptions with loans, unemployment relief, health care (March 18)
Maine chambers focus on creative business solutions during crisis (March 18)
Gorham Savings puts LaunchPad contest on hold until 2021 (March 18)
Early-season cancellations flood Maine hotels (March 18)
As air travel drops off, Maine's largest airports grapple with changes (March 18)
Unions want BIW to close during virus crisis, but also demand full pay (March 17)
Portland, Bangor shut down eateries, L.L. Bean temporarily closes stores as 'new normal' evolves (March 17)
Poll: Are you working remotely as a result of the coronavirus crisis, or will you soon? (March 17)
Legislature, Mills propose $73M emergency supplemental budget (March 17)
Bar Harbor suspends cruise ship visits through April (March 17)
Mills seeks federal relief for small businesses affected by COVID-19 (March 16)
Maine health care providers go into lockdown over spread of virus (March 16)
Maine consumer businesses close temporarily, go online, try to adapt to pandemic (March 16)
As state of emergency declared, number of COVID-19 cases in Maine rises to 17 (March 16)
City of Portland cancels events at all city venues, part of wave across state (March 13)
As more COVID-19 cases emerge, Maine grapples with response (March 13)
Mills, Shah urge Mainers to take precautions as state's first coronavirus case confirmed (March 12)
Maine coronavirus update: Cancellations, event changes and growing worry (March 11)
UMaine System bans non-essential air travel as Maine CDC starts coronavirus testing (March 10)
Maine to start coronavirus testing at state lab (March 6)
Coronavirus is beginning to affect Mainers, and Maine businesses (March 3)
Poll: Is your business worried about supply chain disruptions or other potential problems due to the coronavirus outbreak? (February 11)
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