As you are likely aware, Governor Janet Mills recently issued a “Stay Safer at Home” Executive Order. The new order continues to have Maine people stay at home with the same established exceptions for permitted activities, such as occasional grocery shopping or exercising, and now also allows Maine people to visit businesses or participate in activities deemed safe to open under Stage 1 of the reopening plan (PDF).
Additionally, the order requires Maine people to wear cloth face coverings in public places where physical distancing is difficult to maintain, as recommended by the U.S. CDC. The order specifically identifies ferry transit as a public setting where face coverings must be worn.
This statewide requirement goes into effect tomorrow, Friday, May 1st, and Casco Bay Lines will adhere by requiring, until further notice, that all persons wear cloth face coverings at all times when present at our facilities or onboard our vessels.
Under the order, cloth face coverings are not required for children under age 2, a child in a childcare setting, or for anyone who has trouble breathing or related medical conditions, or who is otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Please be advised that any person not wearing a cloth face covering will not be permitted to buy a ticket or board a ferry and all passengers and crew will be required to wear cloth face coverings during the entire trip. Any person who violates this directive may be barred from future passage.
As we have previously shared, we are providing cloth face coverings to our staff to be worn at all times. We have also made face shields available to those staff who wish to use this additional equipment. The CDC guidance on face coverings is very helpful and includes instructions to fashion masks from household items.
Casco Bay Lines will continue to instruct all crew and customers to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from others whenever possible including while boarding, debarking, retrieving freight at the docks and while underway on the vessel. Further, travel on CBL ferries should continue to be restricted to those purposes allowed under the Governor’s orders.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we work together to protect our customers, our crew and our community, and enter collectively into this new month and new phase of response to COVID-19.
The Coronavirus Resources page will be updated regularly as policies and procedures may change.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to moc.s1714128326enily1714128326abocs1714128326ac@tn1714128326emmoc1714128326.
Français
A partir du 1er mai et par décret de l’État, il est obligatoire de se couvrir le visage.
Español
Orden estatal exige el uso de mascarillas faciales a partir del 1 de mayo