Portland considers mask mandate for indoor public locations
Portland’s City Council did not act Wednesday night on a proposed new indoor mask mandate, deciding instead to revisit the topic during a special meeting Monday night.
“That’s where I am, fully in support, interested in maybe taking our time so that we can refine where we’re going and also give the community notice with a draft,” said Mayor Kate Snyder.
City Manager Jon Jennings recommended counselors take extra time to outline exemptions and detail enforcement before voting.
City health officials issued a recommendation earlier this month urging the city to adopt a mandatory mask mandate for all indoor public locations in the city.
“I am well aware and we are well aware that this is not the easy answer but from a public health perspective, we believe it’s the right answer,” said Kristen Dow, director of the city’s department of health and human services.
The recommendation calls for it to go into effect immediately and remain in effect until federal health officials issue new mask guidance or Cumberland County's community transmission rate falls to moderate or low levels for at least 21 consecutive days.
Several business owners who declined to be interviewed raised concerns over a mandate possibility driving customers to neighboring communities, impacting their income.
John Lowell of Andy's Old Port Pub says a new mandate would be a challenge but he doesn’t see a reason to push back.
“Oh it will be a nuisance and it’s going to be. A lot of people don’t want it. We thought we headed in the right direction and we’re going to get pulled back,” Lowell said.
If approved, Portland would be the first Maine municipality to bring back a mask mandate.
Lowell is prepared to accept that possibility.
“At the end of the day we just kind of have to soldier on and try to get through this together,” Lowell said.
Maine's indoor mask mandate was lifted by Gov. Janet Mills in late May.
Current federal guidelines recommend that vaccinated people wear masks indoors in counties where community transmission is substantial or high. People who are unvaccinated are recommended to wear masks indoors regardless of the level of community transmission.
Because the proposed rules would be enacted through an emergency declaration, if approved and extended into January, it would trigger the city’s emergency wage provision which will give low-wage earners 1.5 times their normal hourly pay.