Governor Janet T. Mills at a Recent Daily Briefing on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Mills administration announced today an adjustment to the limit on large gatherings for outdoor activities from 50 to 100 people, effective on Saturday, August 1, 2020.  Under the increase, however, no more than 5 people are allowed per 1,000 square feet in order to maintain appropriate physical distancing.

The gathering limit for indoor activities remains unchanged at 50 people.  Additionally, the requirement to wear face coverings in these gatherings remains unchanged.  Face coverings can significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19 according to one of the two press releases issued by the Governor’s office today.

On another matter, the Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) projected that State General Fund revenues will decrease by $524 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, $434 million in FY 2022 and $449 million in FY 2023 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor has instructed all state government departments to apply an emergency-basis scrutiny to spending and hiring remains in place, including freezing access to all unencumbered budget FY 2020.  The Budget Stabilization Fund stands at $258 million, which is an increase of more than $50 million. since the Governor took office.  The administration has made no decision about another supplemental budget at this point.