Maine to begin reopening; fall plan for schools is to come

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE

 

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine leaders say the state appears to be flattening the coronavirus curve and will begin reopening its economy in phases starting this week. Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday the state will extend its broad stay-at-home order until May 31 but also begin lifting restrictions on Friday. That day will mark the beginning of a reopening schedule that is more ambitious than most of the rest of the Northeast. It potentially includes schools reopening in the fall. The Maine Department of Labor also announced it would start accepting applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance on Friday. The state has had more than 1,000 cases of the disease and 51 deaths.