Please download the general guidance checklist (for all industries), and your industry-specific checklist (if applicable), to identify best practices for safely operating your business during COVID-19. This includes restroom and public area cleanliness, disinfecting surfaces and equipment, and ensuring physical distancing. Please note these checklists may be updated as new information about COVID-19 or safe business practices emerge.
Checklists organized by reopening phase can be found at the archive page.
- Face Covering Executive Order FAQs (PDF)
- Guidance on Enforcing Face Covering Rules in Public Settings (PDF)
- Restarting Maine's Economy FAQs
- View All Open Businesses
General Guidance
The general checklist contains important guidance for all businesses to operate safely and prevent the spread of COVID-19. If your business or organization does not have a sector specific checklist, use the general checklist as guidance.
Outdoor Gatherings
The current limit on the number of persons for outdoor gatherings is 5 people per 1,000 sq. ft. of occupiable outdoor space or not more than 100 persons, whichever is less.
Per Governor Mills’ March 5th executive order, effective March 26th the limit is 75% of permitted occupancy for any outdoor gathering taking place at a facility or event subject to a permitted occupancy limit. Effective May 24th and thereafter, the limit is 100% of permitted occupancy.
Indoor Gatherings
The limit on the number of persons for indoor gatherings is currently set at 50 people indoors. Per Governor Mills’ March 5th executive order, effective March 26th the limit is set to 50% of permitted occupancy or 50 persons, whichever is greater; and, effective May 24th and thereafter, the limit is 75% of permitted occupancy or 50 persons, whichever is greater.
Up-to-date checklists by sector:
- Community Buildings and Services
- Construction
- Dog Grooming
- Education
- In-Home Services
- Lodging
- Marinas/Boatyards and Charter Boats
- Personal Services
Translated Checklists
COVID-19 Prevention Form
In order to open, businesses must commit to complying with requirements of these checklists by filling out this short online form. Please note that religious organizations and licensed health care providers are not required to use this form.
If you have questions, please contact us at business.answers@maine.gov or 1-800-872-3838.
Download badges
DECD has created badges–for businesses that have used the checklist and filled out the compliance form–to voluntarily post on their doors, website or social media channels to help instill consumer confidence in their operations.
- Door sign (PDF)
- Print: Black (EPS), White (EPS), Black (JPEG)
- Website: Black (SVG), White (SVG), Black (PNG), White (PNG)
