Colorful Bandannas to be Stitched into Face Coverings are for Sale at the Circle K, 393 Commercial Street, Portland, for Just Over $3.00.

Governor Janet T. Mills, the first women governor of the state of Maine, said this afternoon at the daily coronavirus briefing that she will announce tomorrow whether or not her Stay Healthy-at-Home Order will be extended following its current deadline – April 30, 2020.  The Order went into effect on April 2, 2020.

The Governor also said that a criteria for reopening businesses is safety – can a business maintain a safe environment for its employees and customers.  It is not a question of essential or not essential – that is not the criteria – it is all about safety.

“We are not happy that we don’t have testing for everyone who may exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19,” said Commissioner Lambrew in response to a question from the press.

In the temporary absence of Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the MaineCDC today, Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, said that one man has died from the COVID-19 – bringing the total of deceased up to 51.  No report was necessary on the outbreaks at congregate housing in the state.  The Commissioner announced that 96 people at the Sullivan Gym shelter on the USM campus were tested for the virus.  None were determined to have the virus.  A total of 1,023 cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Maine.  Five hundred and forty-nine people have recovered from this deadly virus. Governor Mills said that 1,600 people have used the newly launched portal for those wishing to leave suggestions on the eventual opening of the state.  (Please see post on the new portal on April 23, 2020 herein).

The Governor said that the Consensus Economic Forecasting Committee (CEFC) and the Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) will convene off cycle to examine the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 on  state governments’ revenues.  The Committees will meet in July 2020 and August 2020.  The Governor has instructed the departments to freeze all non-emergency spending and hiring and she is renewing her calls for the federal government to provide flexibility for states to use the federal funding for expected revenue shortfalls according to a press release issued prior to todays press conference held at 2:00 pm in Augusta.

“I did not cheat and go to a hair salon,” said a laughing Governor in response to an email she said she had received recently.

For more information on the Governor’s Stay Healthy – at – Home Order, please visit post herein dated March 31, 2020.