Photo / William Hall
Independent Ice Co., whose door was reflecting a deserted Wharf Street on Sunday morning, notifies customers that protective face masks are required.
Updated: June 29, 2020
Portland cracks down on COVID-rule scofflaws, Old Port businesses
Courtesy / Twitter
Several Facebook and Twitter users had posted images like this one late Saturday night, and said the photos had been taken earlier in the evening on Portland's Wharf Street.
By William Hall
After a three-month shutdown because of state precautions against COVID-19, Portland bars were again serving patrons outdoors on Friday as the first full weekend of summer began. But some customers seemed to think the balmy evening celebrated an end to the precautions.
Social media — and police — took notice.
Widely posted photos soon showed crowds thronging Wharf Street, a narrow, two-block cobblestone passage between Moulton and Union streets in the Old Port district. Wharf Street is lined with popular restaurants and bars.
It's also one of six downtown routes closed to vehicular traffic since June 1 to create outdoor dining and shopping areas. While restaurants and bars are allowed through an application process to seat patrons in the new pedestrian malls, the eateries have to follow state safety guidelines. They include keeping tables at least 6 feet apart. The guidelines also say customers should wear face masks unless seated at a table.
But many customers appeared to be flouting the rules Friday, and by Saturday morning the photos were on Facebook and Twitter. The images depicted dozens of people standing close together; few wore masks.
The photos quickly brought e-shaming, and a reaction from Portland officials.
“Go home and wear a g-- d--- mask,” wrote one Facebook user, drawing hundreds of comments. Most echoed the post, but there were other reactions too.
"Although irresponsible, it's nice to see small businesses generating revenue again," wrote one commenter. "I hope nobody gets sick."
Another response read: "Stay home if you're so emotional about this picture."
Social media reports and television coverage suggested a few businesses on the street may have managed crowds poorly, sparking the criticism.
"What one establishment does literally affects not only all of the establishments on Wharf Street but all the establishments in the state of Maine," Gary Savage, of Independent Ice Co., told Portland TV station WGME.
On Saturday afternoon, city spokeswoman Jessica Grondin issued a news release citing “multiple reports of violations from the public,” explaining Portland’s response, and threatening greater consequences.
“City staff spoke again this morning to businesses to make sure they understand the requirements and the ramifications if they do not enforce on their own. If the regulations are not followed by businesses then the city will be forced to eliminate outdoor dining on Wharf Street and in other areas in which violations are found,” Grondin said.
Police and code enforcement officers would patrol Wharf Street on Saturday night, she added. Crowds indeed returned in the evening, but no violations were reported.
“Officers found that business owners were receptive to the city's efforts and were committed to abiding by the governor’s order to maintain social distancing and following other safety guidelines,” Police Lt. Robert Martin said in a statement Sunday.
The crackdown follows ones across the country. Last week, in response to sudden spikes in cases of COVID-19, officials in Florida and Texas ordered shutdowns of bars soon after they had reopened. Counties in California and Idaho have taken similar measures.
In Maine, restaurants and bars were closed in mid-March by order of Gov. Janet Mills in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. They have gradually been allowed to reopen; most recently, the state on June 17 permitted bars in Androscoggin, Cumberland and York counties to resume outdoor service.
Indoor bar service, however, remains forbidden because of the high risk it creates for spreading infection. A projected July 1 date for resuming indoor service has been postponed and the state has not set a new timeframe, Maine officials said recently.
In Portland, a greater test of the current rules may occur in a few days, over the long Independence Day holiday weekend, typically a busy time for Old Port nightlife.
Photo / William Hall
Wharf Street, in Portland's Old Port district, is currently closed to traffic but open for outdoor dining.
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