A message from Governor Janet Mills
Time and again, Maine people have risen to the challenges put in front of us. We have survived blizzards, ice storms, depressions, booms and busts. We’ve suffered loss — as a state and as families. We have conquered them because we are a strong, resilient people – borne of the western foothills; the northern potato fields; the bold, rocky coasts; and the tall, pine forests. We have been lifted up by the courage, conviction and resilience that comes from loving a place and its people. Let us continue to prepare, take every precaution, remain both careful and compassionate. We will get through this.
Latest News
- March 5: Governor Mills announced the "Moving Maine Forward" plan to protect public health and support Maine's economy during our busy tourism season. Read the plan and FAQs here.
- March 3: Governor Mills has announced that Maine will align its vaccination plan with the new federal directive prioritizing educators, school staff and child care workers.
- Feb. 26: Governor Mills announced today that Maine will adopt an age-based approach to expanding vaccine eligibility, and that Maine residents age 60 and older will become eligible for vaccination on March 3, 2021.
- Feb. 17: Governor Mills has extended the State of Civil Emergency in Maine through March 19. This allows Maine to draw down critical federal resources and to deploy all available tools to respond to and contain COVID-19.
- Feb. 16: The State has announced the purchase of 250,000 BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests, which will be prioritized for use in schools, along with health care and long-term care sites, to expand regular testing in schools and support in-person learning.
- Feb. 12: Governor Mills issued an Executive Order (PDF) to provide greater flexibility in gathering limits for houses of worship in Maine. Under the order, houses of worship may now accommodate five people per 1,000 square feet of space, or up to 50 people, whichever is greater.
Maine’s COVID-19 Response
See the latest news releases, radio addresses, executive orders from Gov. Janet Mills, as well as a timeline of the administration's response to COVID-19.
Maine CDC Updates
Maine CDC updates COVID-19 case data every day. Dr. Nirav Shah, Maine CDC director, holds live public briefings multiple times per week. Watch here or visit MainePublic on YouTube to view past briefings.
A-Z Agency Directory
Every state agency is responding to challenges from COVID-19. Explore this directory of state resource pages to find the answers or support you need.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Maine residents age 60 and over are now eligible for vaccination.
To see when you are eligible for vaccination, visit our vaccination web page.
Age-based eligibility
Maine's age-based approach for vaccination eligibility maximizes the limited vaccine supply and ensure every dose protects the health of Maine people.
Where to get vaccinated
Age-eligible Maine residents are encouraged to make an appointment at a vaccination site as soon as possible. Find a vaccination site.
Vaccination data
Maine's online vaccine data dashboard updates daily with doses administered statewide, by county, and by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. View the dashboard.
Vaccine FAQ
For more about approved COVID-19 vaccines, Maine's vaccine supply, or about vaccine eligibility or scheduling your appointment, please visit our Vaccine FAQs.
Travel and Visitor Information
If you are traveling, or planning to travel, to Maine, please consult these FAQs.
Moving Maine Forward
Governor Mills has released the "Moving Maine Forward" plan to provide clear, predictable guidance for Maine people, business and visitors to plan for the busy summer tourism season. Read the plan and FAQs here.
Travel policy
Unless traveling from an exempted state, have had COVID-19 within the previous 90 days, or are fully vaccinated, visitors to Maine must either provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 10 days. Read the FAQ for travel and visitors for more.
States now exempt from testing requirements are:
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
Capacity limits
Maine is introducing standard capacity limits on all indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Effective March 26, the limit for indoor gatherings will increase to 50 percent, and outdoor gatherings to 75 percent.
Effective May 24, the limit for indoor gatherings will increase to 75 percent, and outdoor gatherings to 100 percent.
COVID-19 Prevention Checklists
Move Maine Forward plan maintains the industry-specific public health and safety protocols implemented last summer through the COVID-19 Prevention Checklists. Find the checklist for your business.
COVID-19 Prevention
For more on keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy, visit the Maine CDC.
Know the symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, shortness of breath, and lower respiratory distress, and may appear 2-14 days after exposure. If you, or someone you know, is exhibiting these symptoms, contact your medical provider.
Take precautions
Stay 6 feet away from other people. Wear a cloth face covering (PDF) in public settings. Wash your hands often, and for at least 20 seconds. Cover all coughs and sneezes.
COVID-19 testing
The state allows anyone over the age of 12 months to receive a test without an physician order (PDF). It remains advised to contact your medical provider to determine whether you should be tested. Find your nearest testing location.
Face coverings
Maine has mandated wearing a cloth face covering (PDF) in public settings. Owners and operators of all indoor public settings in Maine must post signs notifying entrants of the requirement to wear a cloth face coverings, and may deny service or entry for non-compliance. For more details, please read these FAQs.
Supporting Maine People and Families
Unemployment benefits
File for unemployment benefits online and explore enhanced programs available due to COVID-19 through the Maine Department of Labor. You do not need to do anything special for unemployment claims related to COVID-19. For questions, contact the Department of Labor online.
Arrange for child care
Licensed child care is available. To find options near you, follow this guidance (PDF). If you need help to afford child care, visit the Child Care Subsidy Program. For updates on how COVID-19 is affecting child care in Maine, visit the visit the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services.
General assistance
The Department of Health and Human Services administers several critical assistance programs to aid Mainers harmed by COVID-19 (PDF), which support food security, health care, emergency benefits and more. To learn more and apply, visit MyMaineConnection.
Find Help
If you or your loved ones need assistance during this time, please call 211, search for resources on 211maine.org, email info@211maine.org, or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for a response. All inquiries are free and confidential.
Support for Maine Employers
Maine Business Support
Maine’s small businesses and their workers are the backbone of our economy. For the latest information on business supports, please visit the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development or email business.answers@maine.gov.
Business FAQs
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has updated FAQs for businesses about the Moving Maine Forward plan.
Economic Recovery Committee
Gov. Janet Mills created an Economic Recovery Committee to offer expert recommendations on sustaining and growing Maine's economy during and after COVID-19. Read its final report on its website.
Support for Students and Families
K-12 Response
The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with public health experts, created this framework for safely reopening Maine schools. The Department has also launched a dashboard tracking COVID-19 cases in Maine schools, available here.
University of Maine
The University of Maine System is updating its operations, policies and resources for students, faculty staff and families affected by COVID-19.
For parents and families
The Maine Children’s Cabinet and Department of Education are compiling important advice and resources about talking with children about COVID-19, and coping with family stress and anxiety.
Get Involved
Stay Connected
Use social media to connect with your friends, family and community, and follow Maine officials and agencies that are delivering important and timely COVID-19 information. Find who to follow here.
Maine Ready
A portal for volunteer opportunities in Maine that meet critical needs.
Maine Responds
Maine people with medical or public health experience are asked to register here in case their skills are needed.