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Governor Janet Mills, Director of Opioid Response Gordon Smith, and Director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of Behavioral Health Jessica Pollard issued the following statements in response to the 2019 drug overdose death report released today by the Maine Attorney General’s Office:

“Stay Safer at Home” Executive Order permits new activities under Phase 1 of restarting plan & requires cloth face coverings in some public settings

Governor will extend stay-at-home order with modifications to allow for activities and business operations deemed safe

Governor also freezes non-emergency spending & hiring by State government and renews calls on Federal government to provide states with flexibility to use Federal funding

Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Education Pender Makin today congratulated six Maine students who were recognized as being among our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. These students were named national semifinalists in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Science, public health, and collaboration will drive Maine’s phased-in approach to reopening the economy when the time is right

Governor Janet Mills today outlined her vision for a gradual and safe reopening of Maine’s economy amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, emphasizing four principles that will guide the State’s decision-making process and inviting Maine people to offer their ideas through a new portal launched by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Governor Janet Mills and Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew announced today that nearly $11 million in federal funds will support access to child care for Maine’s essential workers, including health care professionals and first responders, and offer relief for child care providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the President’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again:

Governor issues EO on evictions, establishes rental assistance relief program with MaineHousing & urges mortgage lenders to provide flexibility to homeowners facing financial hardship

Governor Janet Mills took significant steps today to keep Maine people in their homes and Maine businesses in their storefronts as COVID-19 continues to create financial hardships across the state.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the explosion at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay:

“I am closely monitoring all information concerning the explosion at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay. Officials with the Department of Public Safety are on scene, along with first responders, and more are on the way. I will be in close contact with public safety officials regarding further developments and to direct all necessary State resources.

As the State continues to respond to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today signed a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency (PDF) for another thirty days through May 15, 2020. The original state of civil emergency was scheduled to expire tomorrow, April 15, 2020.

Governor calls for USDA to guarantee adequate food supply and address supply chain gaps

Governor Janet Mills today joined a coalition of Governors from Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin in writing to U.S.

Order also allows for absentee ballot applications up to and including Election Day

With hazardous driving conditions and widespread power outages resulting from yesterday’s snow storm, Governor Janet Mills closed Maine State Government offices for today, Friday, April 10th. Offices will reopen Monday.

Governor Janet Mills today expressed her happiness at news that Farmington hero Larry Lord will be returning home Friday after being discharged from the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Lord was badly injured after saving the lives of fellow employees just prior to a deadly explosion at the LEAP Inc. office building last September. Governor Mills issued the following statement: 

To reduce in-person contact and promote physical distancing in response to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order allowing remote notarization. The Order, which takes effect immediately, temporarily suspends the provisions of Maine law that require the physical presence of a notary or witness with certain exceptions.

Governor also congratulates Saufley on appointment as Dean of the University of Maine School of Law

Governor Janet Mills today thanked Chief Justice Leigh Saufley for her service to the State of Maine as Chief Justice of the Maine State Supreme Judicial Court and congratulated her on her appointment as Dean of the University of Maine School of Law:

Sites could serve less acute patients to free up hospital capacity for COVID-19 cases

Governor Janet Mills today directed the Maine National Guard and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to work with Maine’s health care systems to open two alternative care sites in Portland and Bangor as part of the State’s preparations to bolster Maine health system capacity in the face of COVID-19.

Governor Janet Mills has signed an Executive Order (PDF) to further expand access to health care for Maine people in the face of COVID-19. The Order takes additional steps to bolster the health care workforce, expand telehealth services, and temporarily alleviate certain licensing requirements, building upon the Governor’s March 20 Executive Order.

Governor Janet Mills is encouraging Maine small business owners to consider applying for assistance with payroll, rent, and other operational expenses through the new federal Paycheck Protection Program. The program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is a loan program designed by Congress to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the President has approved her request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Maine, unlocking critical federal assistance for state agencies and municipalities in Maine.

Governor Janet Mills today issued an Executive Order mandating that travelers arriving in Maine, regardless of their state of residency, self-quarantine for 14 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Janet Mills and Maine’s Congressional Delegation today renewed their call for the Department of Defense to take action to protect the health of shipyard employees in response to a second diagnosis of a BIW employee with COVID-19:

Governor Janet Mills has issued an Executive Order (PDF) extending the State’s property tax exemption deadline.