Boston has been undergoing a major surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks. "Welcome to the people's building," Wu said at one point in response to the boos. "I was feeling really concerned about COVID numbers and thinking about coming to work before seeing family," said Kate Klibansky, a bartender for Big Tree Hospitality, which owns Eventide and several other Portland restaurants. Immunizations. People like Jaina Neri, a manger at Portland's Arabica Coffee Shop, agree. These tests are PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and are considered a gold standard for the detection of COVID-19. Some require appointments but many are operating as walk-in sites. 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. For more information please refer to general guidance recommendations. MaineHealth, the parent company of Maine Medical Center in Portland and a health care network that includes 23,000 employees, is mandating that its employees get the COVID-19 shots by October. BOSTON Editor's note: The above video aired on Dec. 17. 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. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. I can't say what our opinion will be on this particular one because, again, we have not seen it. President Biden signed into law a House bill on April 10 that immediately ended the COVID-19 presidential declaration of national emergency established in March 2020. 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." We have an expectation that people will provide accurate information, Demeritt said. Original music by Dan Powell and . "This is just one step in an aggressive approach the city has already been working hard to implement," Wu said. Portland Restaurants Petition for COVID Vaccine Requirement at - NECN If a guest isn't vaccinated or can't be vaccinated, including kids under 12, they're offered a seat on the patio. Learn more. Gado Gado is one of several Portland restaurants requiring proof of vaccination (in this case, for their indoor seating only). All rights reserved. All patrons and employees will be required to show proof that they have received at least one dose of vaccine. Maine will also eliminate physical distancing requirements indoors, other than in settings in which people are. Even before Monday's announcement, union leaders toldthe Boston Herald that they were looking into their legal options. With Nina Feldman. We're ready to take this step forward to protect our residents.". Already registered? Its something I think about every day, he said. %PDF-1.7 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. 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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. State laws establish vaccination requirements for school children. Wu was joined for her announcement by municipal officials from Salem, Somerville and Brookline. Maine expanded abortion access up for debate, passage likely Greg Dugal with the trade group HospitalityMaine says he's still waiting for more details on the plan before weighing in. 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. Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Boos could be heard at one point during the announcement. The COVID-19 federal public health emergencya separate declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from January 2020remains in effect for now. Alex Wight, owner of Crown Jewel, said his restaurant will also be using an honor system for now. Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. With more vaccine mandates in Maine, you may need proof that you're All city employees will also be required to be vaccinated on the same timeline starting Monday. Where to get your COVID-19 vaccine if you live in Maine or New Hampshire but your doctor is out-of-state. Portland restaurateurs are divided over proposed vaccine mandate for All Rights Reserved. Vilkhu said he's not afraid of losing business over the decision. These resources are available to assist and inform you about Maines COVID-19 vaccination efforts, and will be updated regularly. 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. With more vaccine mandates in Maine, you may need proof that youre inoculated, MaineHealth will require staff, including Maine Med employees, to be vaccinated by Oct. 1, UMaine System will require COVID-19 vaccines for students on campus this fall, Some Portland-area restaurants now requiring vaccinations for indoor diners, Hunt & Alpine Club is still one of the few taking the plunge, Fake COVID-19 vaccine cards online worry college officials, Frustrated by CMPs delays, solar industry asks PUC to oversee reviews for grid connections, Another 360 COVID-19 cases reported over 3-day period, Towns challenge new Maine law meant to ease housing crisis, With shelter closing and apartments rising, Portlands Bayside awaits transformation, Big storm to bring flood risk, gusty winds and high seas to Maine, Maine cities, towns face historic tax increases as costs rise relentlessly, Storm prompts flash flood warnings, knocks out power to thousands. The Maine Hospital Association is having preliminary discussions with state health officials about vaccine requirements for staff, once the FDA gives full approval to the vaccines. Where do I find a restaurant's vaccine requirements? Beginning Feb. 15, everyone will have to show proof of two doses. Find a Treatment Site You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced new proof of vaccination requirements for restaurants and other indoor venues including gyms and theaters on Monday. From outside Monday's press conference at Boston City Hall, protesters could be heard chanting "U-S-A! Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu said the number of COVID-19 cases in Boston has increased almost 90% compared to two weeks ago, with the city now averaging 369 new cases a day. Cities including Boston and Chicago have added their own vaccine requirements amidst the surge of the omicron variant, but other restaurant owners have already pushed back on the Portland petition, saying businesses should be able to decide on their own if they want to require vaccines. "This is meant to keep each and every one of our city workers safe," she said. Learn more. And in my mind, that means making sure people know that they're protected," he said. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. And so we decided to make this move.". As vaccines become available, find the latest updates here. "The idea of a restaurant is a place. (Effective July 28, 2021) The Mills Administration announced that the State of Maine will follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (U.S. CDC) updated face covering guidance, which recommends that: *all people, regardless of vaccination status, wear face coverings in indoor, public settings in areas with substantial or high levels of community transmission. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. FILE - Maine Gov. This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have previously received one or more original (monovalent) boosters at least 2 months ago. They were never going to be our guests. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Childrenage 5 years can only get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster. Neither the city of New Orleans nor the state of Louisiana mandates vaccination for indoor dining. 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. At times the chanting made it difficult for those at the podium to hear themselves speak. John Porter, MaineHealth spokesman, said the vaccination card is not the be-all, end-all record and that the health networks human resources department will work with employees to verify that they got their shots. ROBBIE FEINBERG, BYLINE: In November of 2019, Isaac MacDougal opened his cocktail bar Cocktail Mary. On Tuesday night, about 20 people descended on Dame, in Greenwich Village, to protest the restaurant's request that indoor diners provide proof of vaccination . I have young kids that are not eligible. They asked him some of the same questions about his restaurant's policy and about how diners are reacting to it, he said. For more about vaccination in Maine, visit our vaccine website. Its really not a big deal. Most restaurants are flexible with the type of documentation they'll accept. Just a few months later, the pandemic upended those plans. "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.". But just before our interview Vilkhu fielded a call from White House. San Francisco chef Seth Stowaway had plans for his new, 26-seat restaurant, Osito, before COVID-19 hit. 1 0 obj Already have a commenting profile? NPR reports that nine states have enacted laws with some prohibitions on vaccine mandates. 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. As the storm of the pandemic endures, with peaks and valleys to come, my pledge to the people of Maine is this: that we will work day and night to make vaccines and tests accessible to all; to keep our children safe in their schools; to work in close partnership with our health care systems, ensuring critical care for all those who need it, and not just those with COVID; and to keep our businesses open and thriving and our economy moving forward. Several Portland, Maine, restaurants have decided to only allow people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to eat in their dining rooms. "Every single day, I have someone come in and thank us for doing this for our community and keeping us safe," she said. On the heels of Boston and New York deciding to implement COVID-19 vaccine requirements to eat indoors at restaurants, a group of eateries in Portland, Maine, is hoping city leaders will implement that type of mandate. 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. FEINBERG: Now MacDougal and other Portland restaurant owners are petitioning the city to require proof of vaccination for certain indoor public spaces, including eateries. Tracy Chang, the owner of Pagu Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass., says she has concerns about physical safety as some customers are enraged by her mask mandate. 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. In Maine, Tougher Vaccine Rules Were On Super Tuesday Ballot - NPR Several restaurants in Portland are calling on local officials to institute a vaccine mandate. As the delta variant of COVID-19 surges amid troubling news of its transmissibility and severity, chefs and restaurateurs say they're worried about the safety of their staff and their guests and a vaccine requirement will help keep everyone safe. COVID-19 Prevention Latest vaccine updates As vaccines become available, find the latest updates here. Find a Testing Site COVID-19 Vaccination Vaccines are free and are available without needing an appointment. The bar opened for indoor dining just a few months ago with precautions. All patrons and employees will be required to show proof that they have received at least one dose of vaccine. A return to capacity limits and social distancing would be far worse . Supporters argue that a mandate would help both workers and diners feel safer and help restaurants stay open during the current wave of COVID-19 cases. 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. Immunizations | Department of Education - Maine (Effective January 5, 2022) The City Council voted unanimously to implement a mask mandate for the city of Portland. Wu said the new requirements will not affect outdoor dining or outdoor events like First Night Boston. However, she added, "it's important to have our city on our side.". Accuracy and availability may vary. The order is the first of its kind for a U.S. city, and restaurants can be fined for noncompliance. The proof of vaccination requirement for indoor venues will go into effect starting Jan. 15 for everyone ages 12 and up. Several Portland, Maine, restaurants have decided to only allow people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to eat in their dining rooms. Restaurants | Department of Economic and Community Development - Maine Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. VERIFY: The COVID-19 vaccine is free in Maine, even if you don't have insurance. //CDC simplifies COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, allows older adults endobj Wu said she has been in touch with New York officials, where a similar vaccine requirement has been in place for months. Will Restaurants Screen Guests for Vaccination? But Chang says no amount of yelling is going to change her mask policy. Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 and Visiting Portland If I visit Portland from out of state, do I need to self-quarantine? New Maine law tightening vaccination rules has an exception for - WGME I've been told I'm doing segregation similar to what happened to Black people," Volk said. "I've been called a Nazi a lot in the past couple days. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Peter's Bar & Grill Proof of vaccination required to sit inside; unvaccinated customers free to sit outdoors. "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.". With 21,137 New Confirmed Cases, U.S. CDC Says People Should Avoid Cruise Travel, Regardless of Vaccination Status', 31 Pounds of Fentanyl Seized After Being Shipped to Maine Restaurant, Tens of Thousands of New Englanders Wake Up Monday to No Power, Man Convicted in Deadly 2021 Belmont Road Rage Attack: LIVE UPDATE, Patrice Bergeron Will Take Some Time Before Deciding Future With Bruins, Disastrous End to Bruins' 2022-23 Season Will Haunt the Franchise Forever. 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. "Many have already implemented proof of vaccination independently. "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. If a Maine resident loses a vaccination card, they can still prove they got their shots. We're not losing their business because it was business we never had, nor probably would ever have.". In fact, Volk said, the restaurant's bar had its busiest weekday ever the day after she and her business partner spoke to local media about the vaccine requirement. Call1-855-608-5172 to reserve a ride at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. 1. What is currently open in Portland? "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. Last updated: May 24, 2021. MACDOUGAL: Honestly, I haven't gotten any - I haven't had any problems. Visitors from all U.S. states are welcome to visit Maine without restrictions or testing. Be sure to contact the businesses listed on this site for availability. Portland Restaurants Begin Requiring Vaccines for Indoor Dining - NECN Businesses that require proof of vaccination to all on premises do not need to require masks be worn. They can not afford to shut down an economy, right?". April 19, 2021: All residents age 16 and older. As of last week, about a dozen restaurants had signed, only a fraction of the total number in the city. State and local governments are divided, often by party lines, over how mandates are received and enforced. Maine will be one of the 1st states to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for FEINBERG: Whether Portland will institute new mandates will likely emerge on Monday night, when the City Council is set to meet next. As of last week,. She launched her second newsletter, Expedite, independently three years later to continue chronicling the evolving restaurant technology industry. Maine Vaccine Requirement to Stand - National League of Cities State Vaccination Requirements | CDC Food and Drug Administration approval for schoolchildren is expected sometime this fall or winter. Generally, restaurants are within their rights requiring diners to prove their vaccination status if they want to eat inside, and simply objecting to the vaccinationfor whatever reasonisn't enough to skirt these rules. A restaurant can indicate that proof of vaccination is required, or that all staff are fully vaccinated. Enter your email and password to access comments. The state dropped nearly all coronavirus safety requirements for restaurants and bars. Copyright 2022 NPR. Of course, restaurants face negative reactions online every day when it comes to COVID safety protocols. Create one. This story is part of The New Rules of Dining Out. 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. She also said all city employees must be vaccinated along that same timeline, eliminating a weekly testing option that had existed previously. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. Use the form below to reset your password. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Portland has re-launched our outdoor dining program allowing businesses to expand into public spaces, so visitors can enjoy food & drink while staying safe at unique, outdoor dining environments. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. His announcement was made three days earlier than the mandate issued Tuesday by New York City officials that people must be vaccinated to eat indoors or go to an indoor gym. ", 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. Find places to stay, things to do, restaurants, shops, group meeting services, venues, and much more. Primary series and updated booster vaccinations are available at locations across the state. The plan also establishes a target reopening date of March 26, 2021 for Maine bars and tasting rooms which will be required to operate under the Seated Food and Drink COVID-19 Checklist. A group called Boston First Responders United, which opposes vaccine mandates, criticized Wu's policy ahead of her announcement, issuing what it described as "a call to action to our brothers and sisters in all law enforcement unions.". Social media commenters, on Facebook, especially, haven't held back their wrath. To find a booster dose, find a vaccination site. Chefs and restaurateurs instituting vaccine mandates may not be particularly thrilled to have to enforce compliance in customers weary from months of restrictions. Vaccines, like much of the information surrounding COVID-19, have become a political issue. The staff are getting unfairly targeted, Malin explained. A growing number of colleges, health care systems, the military, governments and major employers also are implementing vaccine mandates as a condition of employment or to attend school. The moves mean that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 vaccination record card issued when a person is inoculated will become important proof of protection, either shown directly or, perhaps, photographed or scanned so that the image can be uploaded into an application or portal used to verify vaccination. Maine CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group: For more information, see this FAQ. 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. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"Pyvx8dgeQciwstqNifid8mZTzPgWjsKTJOjbywq1xmM-1800-0"}; COVID-19 Executive Orders | Health + Safety | Visit Portland See Offers. COVID-19 treatment is available for people who are at risk for severe disease.
Mukilteo School District Human Resources,
Tiny House Laws Kansas,
Articles M
