AUGUSTA, Maine — The Department of Public Safety is the state department that is handling all issues regarding any non-compliant businesses in Maine.
While some states have created special "hotlines" or online pages for people with report violations of coronavirus-related orders, Dept. of Public Safety Spokesperson Steve McCausland says law enforcement is prepared to take down those reports.
"If someone has a complaint or sees a possible violation, they should call their local police department," McCausland says. "The governor's executive orders can be enforced by state, county, and local law enforcement. So if a person has a concern, that's who they should reach out to and law enforcement can take it from there."
McCausland says in the majority of cases so far, non-compliant businesses did not know they were going against the governor's executive order.
"I can tell you our first task is to try to educate," says McCausland. "We're finding that a lot of times when there is a violation, it's a misunderstanding about what the true regulation is."
McCausland says, at this time, he is not worried about reports overwhelming local police departments.
Under phase one of Gov. Janet Mills' plan to gradually reopen the state, only some businesses are permitted to reopen.
Those businesses include:
- Health care from Maine-licensed providers, with recommendations that they prioritize care for patients with time-sensitive conditions; assure the safety of patients, staff, and communities; manage the use of essential resources such as personal protective equipment and testing supplies; and pace re-opening services to the level of community COVID-19 activity, maintaining capacity in our hospitals for potential outbreaks
- Personal services: Barber shops, hair salons, and pet grooming
- Limited drive-in, stay-in-your-vehicle religious services
- Drive-in movie theaters
- Outdoor recreation: guided outdoor activities (hunting & fishing) and restricted use of golf and disc golf courses
- State parks, state-owned public land trails, and historic sites; although certain coastal state parks will remain closed
- Auto dealerships and car washes
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At NEWS CENTER Maine, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: /coronavirus
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