These are truly stressful, scary, worrisome times for all of us. As small business owners in the hospitality industry this scenario seems especially daunting. Certain states are opening up to almost "normal" while others, Maine for instance, seem to be lagging behind the rest. We have highlighted the bullet points for you as it stands today, June 9, 2020.***
Guest Guidelines for Lodging Required:
Guest visitation*** starting June 12th residents fron Vermont and New Hampshire can come to Maine without testing or quarantine and stay over in a hotel, inn, or B&B. The state will now allow visitors who obtain and receive a negative COVID-19 test no later than 72hrs prior to arrival to forgo the 14-day quarantine. People who are not Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont residents must complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine. This Certificate of Compliance must be provided at check-in at all Maine lodging, campgrounds, seasonal rentals, and other commercial lodging, such as Airbnb. Visitor may be asked to furnishproof of the negative test result upon request.
Call ahead or online reservations are required.
Signage: Place signage at entrances and throughout the lodging establishment alerting customers to COVID policies especially to maintain 6 feet physical distance to the extent possible.
Face Coverings: Require customers to wear cloth face coverings. This is especially important when social distancing is difficult (e.g. waiting in line for registration, entering or exiting, walking to the restrooms).
Contact Tracing: Maintain records of customers, including one customer name and contact information per party and the server of the table to enable contact tracing.
Limit restroom occupancy for groups restrooms to incorporate physical distancing and avoid formation of waiting lines outside of restrooms.
Breakfast: No buffets or self-service areas with multi-use items. Breakfast service should be packaged as “grab and go”. If you have a restaurant – all service should adhere to the restaurant re-opening checklist.
Group Size is limited per executive order.
Recommended:
Inform guests of your COVID policies in advance, if possible.
Minimize other self-service areas such as drink stations. To the extent possible, use contact-less dispensers to minimize hand touching. Replace multi-use condiments with single-serve packets. Other suggestions to minimize multi-touch surfaces include providing single-wrap utensils, straws, and lids provided at any take- out or self-seating of sale. Self-service areas require frequent cleaning and disinfection.
Self-service dispensers for coffee, drinks, juice, and ice should be routinely cleaned or discontinued at this time.
See Restaurant Guidance for restaurants on site.
For more information please visit the Hospitality
Maine website.