'Rural reopening' continues; Portland council to vote on opening outdoors

Courtesy / Blind Pig Tavern Facebook page The Blind Pig Tavern in Gardiner is one of the many restaurants in 12 counties of the state allowed to open today that is doing so, with outside seating available to expand capacity as COVID-19 measures limit how many customers can be served.

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By Maureen Milliken

The state's "rural reopening" continues today as restaurants in 12 counties where community spread of COVID-19 hasn't been reported now can allow customers inside. The eateries have to follow stringent social distancing and cleaning requirements.

Retailers in the counties were given the go-ahead to resume in-store sales last week.

The four counties where business is still restricted under an earlier timeline, which allows a phased reopening beginning June 1, are the state's most populous — Cumberland, York, Penobscot and Androscoggin. Retailers in those counties can currently provide curbside pickup, while restaurants can continue to provide take-out and delivery services.

Portland City Council will vote tonight on whether to allow restaurants and stores throughout the city to operate outside, as well as whether to temporarily close six streets in the Old Port to vehicle traffic.

Restaurants in the 12 counties that reopen today will have to physically distance customers, including placing tables 6 feet away from each other, limit capacity, ensure employees follow enhanced hygiene and sanitation practices and more.

"This isn't going to be easy," Gov. Janet Mills said May 8 when she announced the plan. "But the industry has also weighed in, and we've respected their views and come to these accommodations."

Both restaurants and retail stores have a long checklist of measures to take in order to reopen safely, provided on the Department of Economic and Community Development website. Requirements range from health and social distancing measures, to suggestions on notifying customers of rules to how to deal with vendors.

Steve Hewins, CEO of HospitalityMaine, said this morning navigating those checklists may get easier.

"We are finalizing a COVID-19 online training program for frontline hospitality workers developed in conjunction with Eastern Maine Community College and designed specifically to implement the state’s checklists," he said this morning. "We have the capacity to offer it to every employee in all 5,500 restaurants and hotels across the state.

"Successful completion will result in an electronic badge – a credential of value as well as the tools to protect themselves and their guests," he said.

Some open today, others wait

Each restaurant ultimately has to make the guidelines work for their own establishment.

The Blind Pig Tavern in Gardiner, for instance, will open today with the same hours it had before the COVID-19 shutdown. It's not taking reservations, but is limiting capacity to half of what it would normally allow and will use outdoor seating when it can. If there's a wait, someone at the door will take the name and cellphone number of the customer, who will then return to their car and wait for a call when the table opens up. Masks are suggested for customers, but not required.

"Please be patient and kind we all adjust to the new rules, and to get going again, safely," owner Brandi Kennerson says on the restaurant's Facebook page. "Our restaurant is very small, and distancing can be a challenge. If you feel uncomfortable, please feel free to continue our curbside pickup."

She said the restaurant will make modifications as restrictions are loosened.

Many restaurants across the 12 counties, particularly those that are part of national or regional chains, are also opening their dining rooms. But others are taking a slower approach.

Hewins said that many restaurants are exciting aobut reopening and rebuilding their businesses.

"Some are not ready, either for virus concerns or because they cannot implement the new rules and protocols yet," he added. "Still others will remain closed because they do not feel they can operate profitably with the reduced capacity allowed."

He said he's heard that many that are opening later this week for the Memorial Day weekend.

Portland votes on moving business outside

Meanwhile, the Portland council will vote tonight on whether to close six Old Port streets to traffic and allow businesses throughout the city to expand outdoors as of June 1.

The city's economic development council Thursday approved a plan to allow restaurants and retail businesses to expand onto public and private property not typically permitted for business activity. It not only includes the six streets that may temporarily close, but also sidewalks, parking lots, plazas and parklets across the city. In all cases, the configurations must meet 6-foot separation requirements, the proposal says.

Those that already have outdoor dining permits would also be allowed to expand, and the city will work with businesses on how to do it.

“We worked quickly across several departments to put together a proposal that would give our small business community a number of useful tools to assist them as they seek to reopen or expand their operations in accordance with the state’s guidance for a June 1 opening,” said City Manager Jon Jennings in a news release.

“This a pilot program with a number of temporary policy changes that, if approved, we hope will help businesses as they seek to begin safely serving patrons again.”

Fees associated with expanding outdoor dining will be waived, and fees associated with parklet applications will be significantly reduced under the proposal. New outdoor dining permit fees or renewals as well as fees for sidewalk sale permits will remain the same, but fees will not be due until 60 days after the permit has been issued. All permit changes will be valid from June 1 to Nov. 1.

"By expanding outdoor capacity, the city hopes to support businesses in their efforts to re-open responsibly," said the release. "These closures are not intended to create public gathering or social space. Businesses are required (according to the state’s checklist) to have visible signage reminding visitors of proper social distancing and other COVID-19 recommendations."

Streets that would close temporarily are Cotton, from Spring to Fore; Dana; Exchange from Fore to Federal; Milk from Exchange to Market and Silver to Pearl; Middle from Franklin to India; and Wharf.

Retail moving forward

As the rural reopening continues, Reny's announced last week that it is opening 10 of its 17 stores to indoor customers. L.L.Bean has has also opened its Bike, Boat & Ski and Hunting & Fishing stores in Freeport.

Damariscotta-based Reny's initially closed all stores in March, and began offering curbside pickup last month. Stores that will now open to customers include Damariscotta main store and underground, Gardiner, Farmington, Madison, Pittsfield, Camden, Belfast, Ellsworth and Topsham.

The stores will have limited hours and early shopping three days a week for seniors and other high-risk individuals. They are also still offering curbside pickup.

L.L. Bean also began offering curbside pickup in Freeport a month ago as its other stores remained closed. It's still offering curbside pickup at its flagship, outlet and Home stores in Freeport, as well as outlets in Bangor and Ellsworth.