The city'sfirst cases of the highly contagious omicron variant were detected last week. Starting on March 1, children over age 5 will be required to be vaccinated as well. Janet Mills announced an aggressive . "We have a tremendous reputation in this town," he said. We're ready to take this step forward to protect our residents.". The state dropped nearly all coronavirus safety requirements for restaurants and bars. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Find a Testing Site COVID-19 Vaccination Vaccines are free and are available without needing an appointment. MACDOUGAL: Honestly, I haven't gotten any - I haven't had any problems. A clinical psychologist says that mask rage is not often just about the mask -- the emotion underneath the anger for a lot of people is fear. Vaccination is the most effectiveway to protect you and your family from COVID-19. ", In New Orleans, Ashwin Vilkhu, chef-owner of Saffron NoLa, says he felt a sense of community responsibility to require vaccination or a recent negative test. As vaccines become available, find the latest updates here. A lot of people have been writing false reviews to drag down our ratings, people wished wed go out of business and people put bets on when well go out of business, he added. All patrons and employees will be required to show proof that they have received at least one dose of vaccine. 4 0 obj
FEINBERG: The petition comes as the Portland City Council is set to consider new COVID-19 restrictions on Monday night. "Failure to get the vaccine because it's your own personal choice is not going to give you the same rights as it did before," said Lawrence Spasojevich, a civil rights and employment lawyer in New York. Original music by Dan Powell and . City employees, contractors and volunteers are currently required to provide either proof of vaccination or a weekly negative test result. The caf has had its own requirement that patrons be fully vaccinated and, according to Neri, initial feedback after one week is positive. "It is absolutely a necessary one. The official site for the Greater Portland region of Maine. U-S-A!" Kristen is the creator of two industry newsletters; the first was acquired by a media company in 2016. All Rights Reserved. Vaccination Sites | Covid-19 - Maine.gov COVID-19 3 0 obj
State Vaccination Requirements | CDC CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today to discuss these COVID-19 vaccine . Its something I think about every day, he said. The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club is one week into enforcing its new vaccine requirement for indoor dining and co-owner Briana Volk says that asking customers to produce a vaccination card has gone well. However, she added, "it's important to have our city on our side.". VERIFY: The COVID-19 vaccine is free in Maine, even if you don't have insurance. "If the public health experts and our mayor believe proof of vaccination is in the best interest of public health, we too stand behind that decision. What events are happening this week/month in Portland? Masks are not required outdoors, but those visiting Portland, Maine are required to wear masks indoors in public areaswith an exception for businesses that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all who enter. Success. Do I have to wear a face mask in Portland? Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. In Maine, Tougher Vaccine Rules Were On Super Tuesday Ballot - NPR Several Portland, Maine, restaurants have decided to only allow people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to eat in their dining rooms. %
The Ballad of 'Deepfake Drake' - The New York Times endobj
New Hampshire corrections officers on leave after psychiatric unit death, Supreme Court to consider case involving fishing boat monitor pay, Overnight rain and wind leaves Mainers with flooding and power outages, first cases of the highly contagious omicron variant, 'The Finest Christmas Tree' stems from Somerville, Maine, NHL pauses cross-border games, shuts down 6th team, Millinocket Marathon & Half event gave big boost to businesses, Indoor dining, including bars and restaurants, Indoor entertainment, recreational and event venues, including theater shows or sports games. and even singing lyrics from "The Star-Spangled Banner," including the line, "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." Kristen Hawley writes about the restaurant business from San Francisco. "We were certainly not the first in SF or the Bay [to do this]," said Nate Norris, Zuni Cafe's chef de cuisine. All three people were unvaccinated young adults, and all had mild symptoms, the Boston Public Health Commission said. The U.S. military added the COVID-19 vaccine to its list of mandatory vaccinations on Monday. Updated: 9:10 AM EDT April 25, 2023 AUGUSTA, Maine Lawmakers in the Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on multiple bills aimed at lifting vaccine mandates and blocking future mandates from taking effect. While general customer reaction has been net positive as evidenced by a bump in reserved tables, Malin said there has also been significant backlash from the community, to the point he disabled the ability for commenters to post on parts of the restaurants Instagram page. The Department of Health and Human Services is offering a free option for Maine people who need a ride to and from a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. "The idea of a restaurant is a place. Boston requiring proof of COVID vaccine for restaurants, indoors - WCSH Anyone age 18 and older can choose to receive a Novavax (monovalent) booster, if they are unable to receive or choose not to receive an updated Pfizer or Moderna booster. Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise. Vilkhu wonders if a national recommendation might be on the way. Campana Proof of vaccination required for customers 12 years old and older to. Everyone age5years and older are recommended to receive an updated (bivalent) booster. Free testing for COVID-19 is widely available in Maine. <>
Gado Gado is one of several Portland restaurants requiring proof of vaccination (in this case, for their indoor seating only). Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl, meanwhile, called the policies "clear violations of the civil rights of anyone who lives in, works in, or travels to the city" and said they "will make it even more difficult for Boston's economy to recover from the pandemic. But Chang says no amount of yelling is going to change her mask policy. There have been threatening messages directed at him and restaurant staff online, over the phone and even in person, he said. Read the rest here. GREG DUGAL: We have been primarily opposed to mandates. Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination card, a photo of the card, any official immunization record or digital image from a pharmacy or health care provider or on any COVID-19 vaccine verification app. Vilkhu said he's not afraid of losing business over the decision. Portland Restaurants Petition for COVID Vaccine Requirement at City Eateries Some restaurants in Portland, Maine, have signed onto a petition urging the city council to require patrons to be. The number of new cases of COVID-19 children continues to rise according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association. "There is nothing more American than coming together to ensure that we are taking care of each other, that each and every one of our community members is safe and healthy and has access to the future and opportunities they deserve.". COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness and can help limit the spread of the virus that causes it. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Alex Wight, owner of Crown Jewel, said his restaurant will also be using an honor system for now. What is currently open in Portland? If a guest isn't vaccinated or can't be vaccinated, including kids under 12, they're offered a seat on the patio. 1. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. On March 19, 2021, Governor Mills announced an acceleration to Maine's COVID-19 vaccination schedule. Maine: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance | Husch Blackwell Heres why. Wu said the new requirements will not affect outdoor dining or outdoor events like First Night Boston. No one in person has been upset about it. She said the restaurant has taken some criticism online about the move, but most people are supportive. Find places to stay, things to do, restaurants, shops, group meeting services, venues, and much more. People like Jaina Neri, a manger at Portland's Arabica Coffee Shop, agree. Among restaurants in Maine, the Hunt & Alpine Club is still one of the few taking the plunge to require vaccination for indoor dining. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. Instead, when the restaurant opens in October, it'll require guests to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of dining. Klibanksy and others who support the petition think a blanket vaccine rule would create one simple standard for business owners with backing from city leaders, which would reduce conflict between restaurant owners and patrons who may disagree with individual restaurants requiring vaccines on their own. A statewide referendum on Tuesday's ballot asked whether voters wanted to overturn the law that eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions for childhood vaccines. Hospitals want mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all Maine health In New England, some music venues and restaurants in Portland, Maine, are now requiring proof of vaccination before entrance, as is a popular performance venue in Portsmouth, New Hampshire . Chefs and restaurateurs instituting vaccine mandates may not be particularly thrilled to have to enforce compliance in customers weary from months of restrictions. "It's an experience and you just can't get that unless you're able to participate," he said. The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club is one week into enforcing its new vaccine requirement for indoor dining and co-owner Briana Volk says that asking customers to produce a vaccination card has. National news outlets have reported concerns that the system could be ripe for fraud, especially for returning college students willing to fork out $200 or more for fake immunization cards. "We know that people respect us, and we know that we have led the charge on COVID throughout the last year, we know that we're looked at as one of the leaders. As of this writing, businesses are on their own when it comes to enforcing their vaccination and COVID testing requirements. Consistent with Maines recent approach to COVID-19-related policy and the expiration of the State of Civil Emergency, these changes are recommendations, not requirements. "We especially remind our fellow members of law enforcement that civil rights and worker's rights cannot be suspended, abridged, or revoked in America," the group said in a statement, which also said any ongoing contract negotiations should be suspended. The Portland Hunt and Alpine Club, Crown Jewel and Little Giant have all recently said that anyone who eats at their establishments indoors must have received the shots. The high-end concept, slated to open in a few months, revolves around one long communal table where strangers are encouraged to interactnot exactly a COVID-era dining experience. All people aged 6+ months are eligible for vaccination. Mon, June 10th 2019, 2:47 AM PDT. Image: Katherine Chew Hamilton Where can you get the COVID-19 vaccine in Maine: CDC announces Maine vaccination sites. See Offers. Were a bar. Certain businesses requiring vaccines would be exempted. We have an expectation that people will provide accurate information, Demeritt said. Visit our COVID-19 FAQ for more! Sign in or Subscribe State House News Service contributed to this report. Following FDA regulatory action, CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. Maine Public Radio's Robbie Feinberg has more. Governor of the State of Maine pursuant to 22 MRS 802(2-A) and 37-B MRS 742 based upon an occurrence or imminent threat of widespread exposure to a highly infectious or toxic agent that poses an imminent threat of substantial harm to the population of the State. "If you spend $295 to buy a ticket with us and you can't let your guard down to have the experience, we're failing to provide that level of service.". Don't have a commenting profile? Learn more. Of course, restaurants face negative reactions online every day when it comes to COVID safety protocols. "This is meant to keep each and every one of our city workers safe," she said. While it might feel a little strange at first to hand over proof of your own health at the restaurant's front door, just as masks felt strange months ago, business owners say they appreciate thatfor the most partpeople are happy or even proud to prove their vaccine status. Peter's Bar & Grill Proof of vaccination required to sit inside; unvaccinated customers free to sit outdoors. The staff are getting unfairly targeted, Malin explained. If a Maine resident loses a vaccination card, they can still prove they got their shots. From 2001 until 2019 Maine's statute requiring mandatory vaccines for health care workers contained an exemption for medical reasons and religious and philosophical objections. It terrifies me, they dont have the choice or freedom to make their own path through this and its my job to protect them, Malin added. Volk said customers at her Portland restaurant have started holding the card in hand or the photo of the card on their phone as they come in, ready to provide proof of their COVID-19 shots. She's spent the last 10 years writing about restaurant technology and the future of hospitality and was among the first journalists to cover these topics with regularity. COVID-19 VACCINATION All who are vaccinated may travel to Maine without restriction from any state within the U.S. View the CDCs public health recommendations for fully vaccinated peoplehere. Beginning Feb. 15, everyone will have to show proof of two doses. Most restaurants are flexible with the type of documentation they'll accept. 1 0 obj
Unvaccinated customers can still dine on the patio. Groups of guests would still be seated and served at the same time as if they shared one tablethe socially distanced version of his original concept. Omicron variant scrambling Christmas plans in some major US cities Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Call1-855-608-5172 to reserve a ride at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. A new, multi-month plan reflects the stabilization of Maines COVID-19 metrics and progress in vaccinations, aims to provide clarity and predictability for Maine people and businesses to plan for the summer months and establish Maine as a safe place to visit. State Vaccination Requirements State and local vaccination requirements for daycare and school entry are important tools for maintaining high vaccination coverage rates, and in turn, lower rates of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). That's Yelp's term for the glut of false negative and inflammatory reviews restaurants sometimes face for imposing COVID safety restrictions. "You're putting them in a really difficult position to either be faced with backlash from guests or lose business," she said. This is just another way of carding, Volk said. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. SWAB AND SEND SITES Any individual visiting the state with or without symptoms of COVID-19 can visit one of Maines multiple Swab & Send sites. They were never going to be our guests. There were still those who chose to use direct messaging to voice their opinions, however, Wright said in an email. Learn more. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Several restaurants in Portland are calling on local officials to institute a vaccine mandate. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"Pyvx8dgeQciwstqNifid8mZTzPgWjsKTJOjbywq1xmM-1800-0"}; People ages 5 years and older should get all primary series doses, and the booster dose recommended for them by U.S. CDC, if eligible. They asked him some of the same questions about his restaurant's policy and about how diners are reacting to it, he said. Asked if that move was validating to him, Malin replied that he is not looking for validation in this, Im just looking to avoid another COVID shutdown for our restaurant, and that believed his move was in the best interest of community health. As the pandemic wore on and the restaurant's opening crept closer, Stowaway figured he'd break the big table into small ones. "We would probably have to close down the books, because you can't survive on that," he said. Tests are free of charge and results are generally available in as little as one hour. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Maine will be one of the 1st states to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for Some businesses have begun asking customers to show their COVID-19 vaccination cards, while others are launching portals or apps for uploading images of the cards. //]]> Every business is different. State laws establish vaccination requirements for school children. Maine expanded abortion access up for debate, passage likely (Effective May 24, 2021) Maineupdated its Moving Maine Forward planto lift all capacity limits and physical distancing requirements in all outdoor public settings as well as capacity limits for indoor public venues and physical distancing requirements, except in settings where people would be removing their face coverings. AUBURN, Maine (AP) Employees of a Maine restaurant got a surprise when they opened a large wooden crate that they thought was a shipment of mugs they had recently ordered. She said hospital resources are "stretched thin" and that an estimated two-thirds of those hospitalized with COVID-19 in the city are unvaccinated. (In Montana, which is an outlier, private businesses can not require vaccinations to offer service.). For more about vaccination in Maine, visit our vaccine website. Home | Covid-19 - Maine "They have to protect businesses. The restaurants rule is just one of many vaccine mandates starting to become more common with the delta variant of COVID-19 surging across the country. Malins vaccine policy is an honor system, by which people will have to simply tell staff whether or not theyve been vaccinated -- Malin said he has no way to check if vaccine cards issued by the CDC are real or fake. Dan Demeritt, spokesman for the University of Maine System, said while fraud is possible in any system, any student who submits a fake vaccination card is risking discipline. Already have a commenting profile? For more information please refer to general guidance recommendations. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. You will receive an email to complete the registration. At Tomaso's Canteen, Samuel's Tavern and Pizza Villa, there's no social distancing, and masks are optional. Wu said she has been in touch with New York officials, where a similar vaccine requirement has been in place for months. State or local digital health passes that confirm vaccine status, an official CDC vaccine card, and a photo of an official CDC card are commonly accepted forms of proof. CDC simplifies COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, allows older adults