ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Maine CDC
- United States CDC
- Proclaiming an Insurance Emergency
- Insurance Emergency Response Order
- Maine Retailer Resource
Maine CDC and 211 Maine have launched a new option for Mainers to get answers to questions about COVID-19 at any time. This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org.
A NOTE FROM PRESIDENT + CEO, SHANNA COX
Like many of you, we are watching the news and paying attention to our President and Governor. We recognize that limits on travel and events have real financial implications for many of our members, and planning for scaled remote workforce solutions have real human resource and capacity implications. With the first presumptive positive occurring in Androscoggin County, we are also aware of the potential implications stemming from negative perceptions of the LA Region.
We are a strong, resilient region of committed businesses and community-minded organizations.
We encourage each of you to follow the preventions below, while supporting each other and the local economy during this time. We will be offering updates when changes occur, or new guidance is issued. We are watching for additional information about the President’s economic relief measures and employee impact mitigation measures- and will offer updates for you and your employees as new information become available. We are committed to keeping you informed, offering stable services and member benefits, and modeling commitment to business, community, and the local economy.
Thanks for all you do and contribute to the LA Region,
Shanna Cox
PREVENTION
As of March 12, 2020, Governor Mills offered updated guidelines from those we shared with you earlier in the week. The most notable change- postponement of all non-essential indoor gatherings with 250 or more attendees for the next 30 days- does not effect the LA Metro Chamber’s schedule of activity. We will be conducting business as usual while following CDC and Maine CDC guidelines
These guidelines include:
- Postponement of all non-essential large, indoor group gatherings in Maine of 250 or more attendees for the next 30 days
- Wash your hands often for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash your hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home if you are sick or have been with those who are sick
THE BASICS: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
As of March 12, 2020, Governor Mills offered updated guidelines from those we shared with you earlier in the week. The most notable change- postponement of all non-essential indoor gatherings with 250 or more attendees for the next 30 days- does not effect the LA Metro Chamber’s schedule of activity. We will be conducting business as usual while following CDC and Maine CDC guidelines.
These guidelines include:
- Postponement of all non-essential large, indoor group gatherings in Maine of 250 or more attendees for the next 30 days
- Wash your hands often for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash your hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home if you are sick or have been with those who are sick
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
- The air by coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
PROCLAIMING AN INSURANCE EMERGENCY
Proclaiming An Insurance Emergency: Under Maine law, Governor Mills has the authority to proclaim an insurance emergency in order to respond to “an existing or imminent likelihood of need for a significant increase in health care services or insurance benefit payments due to injuries or sickness.” The proclamation, which Governor Mills signed March 12, 2020, allows the Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance to require health insurance carriers providing health care coverage in Maine’s commercial market to cover costs related to coronavirus testing and increases access to care.
While this proclamation affects only private insurance sold in the commercial market, the Department of Health and Human Services is also issuing emergency rules to ensure MaineCare provides comprehensive coverage for lab testing and medical treatment. The Maine Bureau of Insurance has determined the extent of the coverage required and issued its own proclamation today. Taking this action will help ensure that Maine people are not burdened by costs or deterred from seeking testing or important medical care related to the coronavirus.
