Sara Truesdale, a Server At Rosie’s, 330 Fore Street, Portland, This Afternoon. The Popular Bar, Restaurant Had not Closed as of This Afternoon Although Others in the Area Did Close Down. Bull Feeney’s a Popular St. Patrick’s Day Venue was Closed This Afternoon.
The city of Portland has instituted a mandated curfew for establishments where groups gather from 6:00 am to 2:00 am on Tuesday, March 17 – 18 and then daily from 8:00 pm until 2:00 am on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (March 18 – 22) in order to practice social distancing to lessen the community spread and flatten the curve of the COVID-9 global pandemic.
The all day curfew on Tuesday is intended to curb St. Patrick’s Day events and festivities, but take-out and delivery of food is still permitted according to a press release issued by city manager Jon Jennings.
The city is also strongly recommending all restaurants close to dine-in customers, or dramatically limit the number of customers and provide take-out or delivery options only for the foreseeable future. While this is the preferable option, the city understands that some restaurants may not be set up to do so. Additionally, the city recommends that all gyms and fitness studios close.
Due Data Pushed Back for Property Tax Payments and Stormwater Payments. The city will delay the deadline for property tax, personal property and stormwater payments until June 1 with no interest. We understand this is the most difficult time of the year from a cash flow perspective for many of our businesses and want to be as supportive as possible for small businesses in the city and respectful to those individual property owners who may be experiencing economic difficulty or uncertainty during this time.
Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates. The public can call the Clerk’s Office at 207 – 874-8610 or email: cityclerk@portlandmaine.gov. All marriage ceremonies scheduled at city hall have been cancelled for now.
General Assistance. The city General Assistance office at 196 Lancaster Street remains open and is operating as well.
Business Licensing & Housing Safety. The city is also delaying the renewal of business licenses, taxi licenses, food trucks, push carts and tour drivers until such time that the city can be fully operational again.
For anyone meeting emergency housing safety inspections – such as no heat, power or water please call 207 – 874-8575.
“We had a whole boiled dinner ready for tomorrow to serve and we were planning to stay open up until an hour ago,” Truesdale said. “We have seen a decline in business recently. St. Patrick’s Day was supposed to be the beginning of our tourist season. I know so many who live day to day. I’m just scared at this point. I hope this is as bad as it gets.” (See above left photo).