SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Editor’s note: You are starting to hear the term ‘flattening the curve’ as a way to stem the tide of coronavirus cases. The above video explains what that means.
Thursday the City of South Portland City Manager Scott Morelli announced emergency regulations for its residents, including a stay at home order.
Morelli makes clear the stay at home order is not a shelter in place order.
"A shelter in place order means that individuals must stay in their location and cannot leave for any reason until an 'all clear' signal is issued. The stay at home requirement allows individuals to leave their homes but only for certain reasons."
The measures also include:
- Prohibiting the use of playground and outdoor fitness equipment at City parks, beaches, and outdoor recreation facilities
- restrictions on visitors to senior care facilities
- prohibiting the use of reusable bags at all retail establishments
The regulations go into effect at noon on Friday.
The complete emergency regulations:
Tuesday night, the City of South Portland declared a civil state of emergency due to the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
Mayor Katherine Lewis, in consultation with the city manager, made the mayoral proclamation after discussing it at the city council meeting.
The order remains in effect for five days and can be renewed by the City Council.
Earlier Tuesday, Portland Mayor Kate Snyder and Portland City Manager Jon Jennings announced that the City Manager has signed an emergency stay at home order for all non-essential businesses and services in Portland.
The order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and has measures that apply to both residents and businesses. The order is good for five days, and any extensions will have to be approved by the City Council, which is expected to host a remote meeting on Monday, March 30.
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