Mills extends business curfew until further notice as virus numbers grow
Citing the increase in Maine's COVID-19 positivity rate and continued high rate of hospitalizations, Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday said the state will extend the 9 p.m. closing requirement for public-facing businesses.
The curfew, which was scheduled to expire on Jan. 3, is in place until further notice.
According to a news release from Mills' office, the early closing rule is intended to limit lengthy indoor gatherings that present a high risk of virus transmission, while allowing businesses to maintain daytime operations and to continue curbside pick-up and delivery service afterward.
Portland restaurants already doing that are offering New Year's Eve takeout specials, from Little Giant's fancy hot dogs and burgers to Luke's Lobster's "Take & Make Seafood Tower" and other options. Little Giant is also getting ready to open a new open-air, covered heated back porch in early 2021.
"With more people getting sick, going to the hospital, and dying from COVID-19 in Maine, it is clear we cannot afford to relax this rule now, especially as we wait to see the full impact of the holiday season on the rate of the virus transmission in our state,” Mills said in the release.
“Maintaining an early closing time for businesses will keep them open for the majority of their operating hours while curbing late night gatherings where we are more likely to lower our guard. I encourage all Maine people who want to sustain their favorite small business through these winter months to continue to order take-out or delivery which is still allowed after closing time.”
Maine’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 5.43% over the last seven days, representing a significant increase over the prior seven-day period, according to Wednesday's announcement. There were 177 people currently hospitalized with the virus in Maine, including 48 in intensive care.
On Thursday morning, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention website showed a total of 24,201 cases of COVID-19 in the state and 347 deaths. But vaccinations are progressing, with a total of 23,527 people vaccinated in Maine.
“The more we can do to limit transmission now, the more effective our ongoing vaccination effort will be,” said Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav D. Shah. “By limiting nonessential interactions, wearing masks in public, staying at least 6 feet apart, and washing hands frequently, we help keep the virus away from vulnerable people until they can be vaccinated.”
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