Governor Janet Mills issued an executive order on Friday afternoon that encourages Mainers to continue to stay at home, while also relaxing some restrictions.

The Governor's stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 31st. Under the new directive, the order is continued, but with some allowances for people to get out and visit more businesses and take part in more activities under the restarting plan.

The ban on gatherings of more than 10 people is eased to allow for up to 50 people, beginning June 1st, consistent with the restarting plan.

It continues to require businesses to have their employees work remotely, whenever possible.

Phases out the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses, consistent with the implementation of the restarting plan.

Continues previous restrictions on the use of public transportation, unless necessary for essential purposes and maintains limits on passengers in certain private vehicles.

Effective June 5th, the directive allows businesses to post requirements for cloth face coverings within their establishments where social distancing is not possible, and permits them to refuse service to anyone not wearing one or who is exempt from doing so.

The order is effective May 31st and will stay in effect until further notice.

In addition to the executive order, Governor Mills sent a letter to the Legislature, addressing their concerns over their perceived exclusion in decision-making about how to deal with the current health climate. She says their help will be needed when it comes time to decide how to allocate federal funds to be used to cover expenses incurred by the pandemic.

Governor Mills also responded to the U.S. Department of Justice, which questioned her 14-day quarantine order for out of state visitors to the state.

"I am deeply disappointed - and frankly disgusted - that the U.S. Department of Justice is making a concerted effort to undermine the health of the people of Maine - objections they never raised when the President and his own task force took steps to limit travel. It seems to me that their only actual 'interest' here is, at best, political, or at worst, to harm Mainers, not defend them."

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