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MANNION JOINS US LIVE FROM AUGUSTA WITH THE DETAILS TODAY THE GOVERNOR CHANGED HER RECOMMENDATIONS TO A MANDATE, TO VLOSE NON ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS. STORES LIKE PHARMACIES, GROCERY STORES WILL REMAIN OPEN. THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THIS WAS NOT FOR A SHELTER OF HOME BUT ASKING MAINERS TO CONTINUE SOCIAL DISTANCING TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. SOME OF HER RECOMMENDATIONS TO RETAILERS INCLUDE: FOR STORES WITH A PHYSICAL RETAIL SPACE OF MORE THAN 5,000 FEET, LIMITING CUSTOMERS TO NO MORE THAN 100 AT ANY ONE TIME; ENHANCING THEIR CURBSIDE PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICES; STAGGERING THEIR HOURS FOR SHOPPERS OF A CERTAIN AGE; CLOSING FITTING ROOMS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. "WE WANT TO AVOI OVERCROWDING AT ALL COSTS, WE WANT TO AVOID GATHERING. THIS IS ABOUT BEHAVIOUR CHANGE. IT'S ABOUT DISCIPLINE IN THE SHORT RU FOR THE LONG TERM." SNYDER AND

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Gov. Janet Mills issued a new order Tuesday, directing all nonessential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations to the public.The order also mandates the closure of nonessential business sites that require more than 10 workers to convene in a space where physical distancing is not possible.Tap here to read the governor's orderNonessential businesses and operations that do not involve in-person contact or allow employees to work remotely can remain open.The order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and lasts for two weeks.The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that there are 118 cases of the virus in the state, up from 107 Monday.Mills also surged all large, essential, public-facing businesses to immediately work to reduce congestion in their stores, including limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and enhancing curbside pickup and delivery services.Essential businesses include but are not limited to: food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair, hardware, auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical, behavioral health and health care providers, child care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics, animal feed and supply stores, shipping stores, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.Mills said state government remains open but most work is being done remotely.Mills also renewed a previous executive order that prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people and dine-in service at bars and restaurants until April 8 at 12:00 a.m.She specifically urged high-traffic retail stores in Maine that provide essential goods and services to immediately employ the following strategies to reduce congestion in their stores:For stores with a physical retail space of more than 5,000 feet, limiting customers to no more than 100 at any one time;Enhancing their curbside pickup and delivery services;Staggering their hours for shoppers of a certain age;Closing fitting rooms;Cautioning customers against handling merchandise they are not purchasing;Marking 6-foot measurements by the cashier stations and reminding customers to remain 6 feet apart while in stores;Staggering break times for employees and require frequent hand-washing;Frequently sanitizing high-touch areas, such as shopping carts.The order did not call for Mainers to shelter at home, but the governor strongly urged Mainers to continue social distancing to limit the spread of the virus.