AUGUSTA — As the State of Maine continues to respond to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills signed April 14 a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency for another 30 days through May 15.

The original state of civil emergency was scheduled to expire Wednesday, April 15.

A state of civil emergency, according to a news release, places Maine on highest alert and allows Governor Mills to deploy all available state resources to protect the health and safety of Maine people and to take every action she reasonably deems necessary to help respond to and protect against the spread of COVID-19 in Maine.

It also eases Maine’s access to critical federal aid to boost response efforts, the release noted. 

“I wish this proclamation was not necessary, but the continued spread of the virus demands a sustained response by the State,” said Governor Mills. “There will be difficult days and weeks ahead, but I am confident that Maine people will continue to step up to meet this challenge, just as we have in the past, and together we will get through this. For now, I continue to urge Maine people to do their part and stay apart. This is the best way we will defeat this virus and protect the state we all know and love.”