Mills follows CDC recommendation, lifts outdoor mask requirement
On Apr. 27, Governor Janet Mills announced that Maine will lift the requirement for residents to wear masks outside, whether they are fully vaccinated or not.
The announcement follows the newly-released COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advising that vaccinated and unvaccinated people can be unmasked while participating in isolated outdoor activities such as running, taking a walk, or biking. Fully vaccinated people can also be unmasked outdoors for small gatherings or while dining outdoors.
“We are updating Maine’s public health guidance to reflect the U.S. CDC’s latest recommendations that indicate the risk of transmitting COVID-19 while outdoors is low, especially as more people get vaccinated,” Mills said in a Tuesday press release. “With the summer months nearly upon us, this offers a great opportunity for people to get outside and safely enjoy all that Maine has to offer. I applaud all the work Maine people have put in to protect themselves and others and continue to encourage them to get vaccinated and wear a mask when inside or when around others so that we can get this pandemic fully behind us.”
Masks are still required while indoors or in large crowds. Social distancing mandates have also not been lifted.
This announcement comes in the wake of Maine reaching several important milestones. To date, 40% of residents have been fully vaccinated and 50% semi-vaccinated. Over 1,000,000 shots have been administered in total.
The new guidelines also precede Maine’s busy spring and summer tourist season. 16% of Maine jobs are in the tourism industry, generating over $2.5B every year. Through the Moving Maine Forward Plan, Mills plans to increase restaurant capacity from its current 50% to 75% on May 24 in preparation for the yearly influx of tourists.
Effective May 1, the plan will also lift certain travel restrictions, switching from an “all states included, unless exempt” to an “all states exempt, unless included” travel policy. This means that residents from all states will be allowed to travel to Maine without restriction unless their state is specifically excluded due to high COVID-19 rates. Mills hopes this more targeted approach will bolster tourism while keeping Maine safe.
Maine is well prepared for the loosening of restrictions. Adjusted for population, Maine ranks the fourth lowest amongst all states in both total number of COVID-19 cases and number of deaths from COVID-19. Maine is also second in the nation in the percentage of its population that is fully vaccinated. Additionally, CNN Business’ “Back to Normal” index ranks Maine as the best in New England in returning to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity.
“Scientific studies continue to show that outdoor activities are much safer than indoor ones,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “As more Maine people become vaccinated against COVID-19, outdoor activities become that much safer.”
For more information about the newest COVID-19 guidelines, please visit the COVID-19 Information page on the Maine CDC website.
~ Sarah Warner `21
