PORTLAND, Maine — While Joshua Miranda is excited to reopen his restaurant and bar, Blyth & Burrows in Portland, during the coronavirus pandemic, he's confused when he actually can.
"What differentiates between a bar and a restaurant?" said Miranda.
According to Governor Mills' plan: Stage 2 would tentatively allow restaurants to reopen June 1, with gatherings of less than 50 people.
Stage 3 would tentatively allow bars to reopen July and August with gatherings of less than 50 people.
Miranda said he has a restaurant and liquor license, but said his business is known for making cocktails.
"Are we going to be closed for two and a half months or three and a half months?" said Miranda.
The Maine State Department of Economic and Community Development said there is a lot of work to be done on specific components. It said it is working to differentiate between a bar and a restaurant.
Portland Hunt and Alpine Club has been shut down since March. The owner said it is licensed as a restaurant.
"We're anticipating as opening as a restaurant starting whenever it's safe and responsible," said co-owner Andrew Volk.
The owner of Rivalries in Portland and Falmouth said he too will be opening as a restaurant. His concern is the number of people being allowed in.
"Different restaurants are different sizes so I'm not sure why they didn't just do a percentage of capacity or make everyone stick by the 6 foot rule," said owner Lance Meader.
All business owners said while there are a lot of unanswered questions, they are looking forward to getting back to some normalcy.
RELATED: Real-time Maine Coronavirus update: Governor Mills extends 'Stay Safer at Home' order to May 31
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