Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Boothbay Region Businesses Open & Providing Services  – View Live Document

Vacationing in Maine

Maine continues to be a jewel of the North East, sparsley populated, full of natural beauty and craggy coastlines. If you are planning a trip to Maine this summer, here are a few things you need to know. The new Keeping Maine Healthy plan, effective July 1, now allows visitors in lieu of quarantine to sign and submit a certificate of compliance to their lodging facility that they have received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their visit.
Dining out
Upon complying, visitors can head out to get food from a restaurant. All eateries in Maine have the option of offering outdoor seating, curbside pickup and delivery
Lodging
Maine’s hotels, inns, beds and breakfast and other lodging facilities are now accepting reservations.
Shopping
Retail stores in Maine have reopened for shopping with extra safety precautions in place. Tourists are free to visit open stores, galleries, gift shops and other commercial retail shops. However, there are strict limits on how many people will be allowed inside any one store.
Farmers markets
Farmers markets are a big part of the summer season in Maine. Those who want to shop farmers markets should know that while the farmers markets are operating this summer, they will look very different than in years past. There will be no onsite dining, music and congregating is strongly discouraged. Vendors are enforcing the six-feet between people social distancing and everyone should plan to wear face masks.
Visiting parks, beaches and other outdoor spots
If Maine has one thing, it’s plenty of outdoor space in which to spread out and enjoy. All state parks, trails and historical sites are open for day use, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Even outside in Maine it’s important to adhere to COVID-19 health restrictions including social distancing of six feet between people and wearing face masks.

Closed For Business

The following will not happen Summer 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Business owners who wish to be listed may send an email, with or without an explanation, to [email protected]
BUSINESS
  • Boothbay Railway Village will not open this summer. BRV’s board of directors held off on deciding as long as it could, changing scenarios to reflect Gov. Janet Mills’ latest COVID-19 guidelines. Full story.
  • Maine State Aquairium is temporarily closed as a precautionary effort to protect the public and limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). “We understand the disappointment this brings, but we are adhering to recommendations that ensure the safety and well-being of our guests, employees and volunteers. For updates, please visit www.maine.gov/dmr/education/aquarium/index.html
  • Hendricks Hill Museum, Southport – After careful consideration, the trustees voted not to open the museum to the public this summer due to the current COVID-19 social distancing requirements. We look forward to re-opening during the summer of 2021, will continue to work on projects that forward the museum’s mission and, in the meantime, please join in on the Hendricks Hill Museum Community Photography Project to help us document life on Southport during 2020.
  • Carousel Music Theater, Boothbay Harbor – It is with a heavy heart that we must announce due to business restrictions and health concerns caused by COVID-19 we are unable to open for our 2020 season.
  • Kaler’s Crab & Lobster House, Boothbay Harbor
EVENTS
  • Windjammer Days – The 58th Windjammer Days Festival set for June 21-29 has been canceled. .According to Capt. Pete Ripley, board member of Friends of Windjammer Days, the decision was made after Gov. Janet Mills announced her four-part plan to reopen the state. “There’s no way we can keep crowds down to less than 50 people,” Ripley said. “Here’s looking toward 2021.”
  • Claw Down – It is with a heavy heart that we have had to postpone this year’s Claw Down event which had been scheduled to happen July 11th. With restrictions still in place for large gatherings, at this time we have to err on the side of safety. Thanks to our team of Midcoast Hospitality, Maine Magazine & Hodgdon Yacht for all their hard work. Looking forward to 2021.
  • Harbor Fest – Lori Reynolds, organizer of the annual Harbor Fest event in Boothbay Harbor, has announced that the ninth annual, late summer, 10-day event (Sept. 3-12) has been canceled for 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
  • 4th July Fireworks – Like many towns and cities in Maine and across the U.S., Boothbay Harbor will put off July 4 fireworks. Following the canceled Windjammer Days by a week, the event would be in the middle of Gov. Janet Mills’ order to keep public gatherings to at most 50 people. Full story.
  • Pumpkinfest – Even though sadly we have had to make the decision to cancel Pumpkinfest 2020, as an expression of our hope in the future, and our agricultural mission, we encourage people to grow Giant Pumpkins this year in their gardens. Free Giant Pumpkin seedlings will be available for no-contact pick-up from May 16-30 at Pinkham’s Plantation at 431 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, and Louis Doe Home Center at 92 Mills Road, Newcastle. Please visit our website for growing information.

 

April 28th

Businesses Open & Providing Services in Boothbay Region – View Live Document
Resources for Businesses:
Payment Protection Program
Workforce Resources:
Local:
National:

April 5th

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR BOOTHBAY REGION
Food Resources

AOS 98: School Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30-12:30

  • Curbside pickup
    • Boothbay Region Elementary School Main Entrance
    • Southport Central School Main Entrance
    • Edgecomb Eddy School Main Entrance
    • Boothbay Town Office parking lot- look for the bus
    • Boothbay Harbor YMCA parking lot- look for the bus

Boothbay Region Food Pantry: Fleet Davies 350-2962

  • Fridays 11:30-1:30
  • Delivery available, call ahead
  • Updates provided on Facebook page

Boothbay Region YMCA:

  • Andy Hamblett 633-2855
  • Student Weekend Lunch-Curbside Pickup
  • 11:30-12:30, Saturday and Sunday

Food for Thought: Hannah Corkum 350-1743

(Healthy snack options for the weekend)

  • In-home delivery every Fridays

Hannaford Supermarket (7am – 9 pm):

  • Manager-Nikki Emerson 633-6465
  • Senior Shopping Time: Tue-Thurs, 6-7am

Meals on Wheels:

  • (elderly in-home meal delivery) Mary Lou Koskela  633-5761

Wiscasset Food Pantry: 882-9088

Other:

Whats Opened, Whats Closed?

Pharmacies:
Other Local Resources:
Health Care Facilities
Mental Health

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April 2nd

As we are deep into our third week of social distancing and away from work and jobs, it is fair to say, many of us are experiencing at least some degree of cabin fever! With guidelines now being extended until the end of April both statewide and across the nation, it is important that we look to ways to keep busy and creatively occupy ourselves.

It is also more important than ever to be compassionate and think about how we can help others, in particular, those on the front lines – our healthcare workers, supermarket staff etc. Many are making donations of food and gifts, thinking of ways we can give back and pay it forward . Please consider donating to relief funds or trusted local nonprofits, contributing to the health care response, safely supporting your local businesses and community organizations, and connecting virtually to ensure your social bonds remain strong.

Many local businesses are also beginning to think of ways they can adapt and change to allow them to weather the current storm while all around is uncertain. Restaraunts are creating dedicated to-go menus while others are using this time to update & enhance their websites and promote online ordering & shipping. With the passing of the $2.2 Trillion Stimulus Bill there will be funds available to help businesses get through this. With massive layoffs statewide, there is also relief at hand for employees who will now find it easier than ever to get unemployment.

Stay Healthy at Home Directive

Governor Mills new’ “ Stay Healthy at Home ” Executive Order takes effect today and requires that Maine people remain at home unless to leave for an essential job or an essential activity. The Executive Order will last until at least April 30, 2020. The Governor may amend, rescind, or renew this timeline at her discretion. ” Because saving lives will depend on us,” said Governor Mills. “I implore you – look to yourself, your family, your friends, your loved ones, your neighbors on the front lines, first responders and health care workers fighting the virus, those who can’t stay home; the children who live around the corner, the farmer who grows your food, the grocer and the pharmacist who sell you goods, the teachers who are missing their kids; the fisherman, the sailor, the truck driver, the janitor, the waitress at your favorite diner; these are the people you are protecting by staying home. This is who you are saving.”

Here are some answers to questions about the Governor’s new stay at home order.

Stay safe!

 

Resources: Below are some resources to guide us through this crisis.

 

Apply For Assistance:
Local Information:
Maine News:
National News:
Get Creative:

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March 24th

Thankfully, we are seeing a lot of excellent information out there and being shared about how to remain safe and avoid the spread of COVID-19.

I think it is also important that we all try to avoid the panic that is often associated with times such as this. While it is stressful, it is important to continue looking out for our friends and neighbors, to be kind to each other, smile at a stranger and overall not lose sight of our humanity. To remain strong, our community needs to support each other. If we continue to do this, we will come out stronger at the other end. We encourage individuals to support their local and small businesses in a number of ways:

  • Use delivery, take-out and curbside services when available.
  • Pay vendors such as caterers now for events that have been postponed due to the virus.
  • Buy gift cards to retailers, restaurants, shops, and movie, concert and theater venues.
  • Purchase class passes for fitness studios, gyms and more.
  • Purchase local merchandise online from retailers, breweries, restaurants, etc., including shirts, hats, books, signs, and more.

Also, we encourage you to observe Gov. Mills guidelines (updated March 24th) for non-essential businesses to close for the time being in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus Statewide while we can. The Order extends for a period of 14 days through April 8, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. Doing this now, will enable us to recover quicker and hopefully avoid further extreme restrictions. 

Helpful Resources

Below are some helpful resources to guide you & your business through this Crisis:

Local:

National:

Resources for Business:

Resources for individuals:

Resources for Parents: