File photo courtesy / Newscenter screen image
Steve Hewins, president and CEO of Hospitality Maine, at a press conference earlier this year.
Updated: July 30, 2020
Mills lifts limit on outdoor gatherings to 100 with strict distancing requirements
Photo / Renee Cordes
During current coronavirus restrictions, restaurants in Portland's Old Port are offering outdoor dining.
Outdoor gatherings in Maine of up to 100 people will be allowed as of Aug. 1 after Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday raised the limit from 50 in a move that drew mixed reactions from hospitality industry representatives.
Citing the growing number of studies showing that outdoor activities are safer than indoor ones, the Mills administration left the cap on indoor gatherings unchanged at 50 people.
Under the increase for outdoor gatherings, no more than five people are allowed per 1,000 square feet in order to maintain appropriate physical distancing, according to Wednesday's announcement.
It followed last week's release of an updated COVID-19 prevention checklist from the Department of Economic and Community Development for seated outdoor spectator events, including professional sports and concerts.
The updated checklist, put together by public health experts, allows for up to four zones of 50 people in each zone. Zones must be separated with physical barriers to prevent intermingling between zones, have separate entrances and exits, bathrooms, and concessions. The change announced today does not impact these requirements.
“Recent scientific evidence gives us a better understanding of the relative safety of outdoor activities, as compared to indoor activities,” said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, in Wednesday's news release.
“We continue to welcome opportunities for Maine people and businesses to interact in ways that the science indicates pose less risk," she added. "Physical distancing, face coverings and hand hygiene remain vital to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Maine as we take this step."
Noting that Maine continues to make progress in reopening its economy, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development Heather Johnson said, “With nearly every business sector re-opened, the Administration will work hard to support Maine businesses while remaining vigilant in protecting the health of Maine people.”
Steve Hewins, president and CEO of HospitalityMaine, the Augusta-based industry trade group, had a mixed reaction to the announcement.
"We are pleased to any movement that allows our industry to serve more guests," he said. "Increasing the gathering size to 100 is extremely important to caterers, hotels and wedding venues whose businesses have been crippled by the restrictions."
But he also said that the size requirement as it currently stands will be challenging to any facility without a large lawn.
"For example, hosting 100 people will require 20,000 square feet or almost half an acre," he said.
He added: "We are seeking further details from the administration on whether the current outdoor dining rules might be adapted to provide better guidance on this."
In response to a query from Mainebiz, DECD spokeswoman Kate Foye confirmed that all the numbers in the press release are correct.
"The increase to 100 for large outdoor gatherings offers an expansion for outdoor gatherings and continues to mitigate the risk of people gathering by making sure there is ample space for social distancing at events where there is mingling."
Gillian Britt, publisher of the Eat Drink Lucky daily newsletter covering Portland's restaurant scene, was more positive, saying, "The increase in size for outdoor gatherings is good news for small weddings, family get-togethers, intimate concerts and similar events. It's great, too, for the few restaurants with enough outdoor space to accommodate a group that size."
She added, "The fact that we can now gather in groups of 100 is a direct result of the firm measures put in place by Gov. Mills at the beginning of the pandemic, and based on the Eat Drink Lucky and Maine Restaurant Week surveys, customers appreciate the cautious approach."
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