Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday issued an Executive Order requiring businesses in most coastal counties and the state’s largest cities to require that both staff and patrons wear face coverings in many cases. The requirement applies to large retail operations (over 50,000 square feet), restaurants, bars, testing rooms and lodging establishments. The mayors of Lewiston and Augusta supported Mills’ action.

The City of Bangor, leading health-care providers in that region and its Community Health Leadership Board joined forces to promote mask-wearing, which has been proven as an effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The campaign, called “Mask Up for ME,” offers practical advice on wearing masks, where to donate masks and general health information about the coronavirus.

Four statewide organizations have released a statement advising medical first responders to take safeguards at working, including universal masking, in order to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19. The statement includes details on what kind of safety equipment is recommended.

Governor Janet Mills has announced COVID-19 Prevention and Protection Grant Awards to nearly 100 municipalities, totaling almost $9 million as part of her Keep Maine Healthy Plan.  The Maine Municipal Association was pleased to work closely with the Mills’ Administration on the creation of this grant program that helps fund the on-the-ground work of cities and towns across the state in protecting their citizens and visitors, particularly during Maine’s summer and fall tourist seasons.

Summer’s here, as is COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidance for people who go to public beaches, and for communities that oversee them. The CDC says the safest practice is for people to maintain six-feet social distancing when encountering people with whom they do not live. Food, beach chairs, toys and supplies should not be shared. Hand sanitizer should be used by staff and beach goers when soap and water are not practical.

Three leading law enforcement entities -- the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Maine Sheriffs' Association and Maine Department of Public Safety -- on Monday issued a joint summary about law enforcement in 2020, touching on subjects ranging from implicit bias to chokeholds to best hiring and training practices. They wrote: "We recognize that change starts with us."

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention today detailed its new grant program – Keep ME Healthy – that will award up to $13.3 million to towns, cities and tribal governments that incur expenses related to the coronavirus public health emergency between June 8 and Oct. 31, 2020, and are willing to help the state with education and complaints about COVID-19 restrictions. The CDC web page is a one-stop kind of destination, where details, the application and other materials are available. The deadline to apply is coming right up: Monday, June 22.

The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance is requesting information about local stormwater projects in order to prepare an estimate of the value of “implementation-ready” projects across the U.S. This inventory is important as the alliance advocates for federal funding of the projects. The information is needed by Friday, July 3.

Today, the Maine Municipal Association posted an 80-minute webinar recorded on Tuesday, June 16 that featured Michael Abbott of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention explaining his agency’s new program, Keep ME Healthy. Particularly, Abbott outlined how the state would like to see municipalities participate in the program, and how towns and cities can be eligible for reimbursement of COVID-19 related expenses if they join in. The deadline for towns and cities to apply to the CDC is Monday, June 22.

The Maine Town & City Clerks Association and Maine Municipal Association teamed up to create a new website that encourages people to become election and poll workers in their hometowns. The website provides basic information about the requirements and benefits of handling absentee ballots and working at election polling places. The website directs interested citizens to their local clerks, by name, so people can follow through.