Is Maine open to visitors (Portland, Brunswick: new home, to buy, camping)

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Yup. If you have tested negative, you don't have to quarantine.

If anyone is coming to Maine, please be a courteous guest. Most stores, restaurants, and public places are asking you to wear a mask and maintain social distancing guidelines, even those who aren't legally required to do so. If you feel you can't do that, please stay home.

Yep. But the test needs to be:

• A live-virus (aka PCR) test, which shows if you are currently ill with Covid-19. Antibody tests, the other kind, indicate if you've had it in the past, which isn't relevant for this purpose.
• And the test needs to be taken less than 72 hours prior to entering Maine. Even if a live-virus test indicates you weren't sick 2 weeks before entering, that's not good enough, as you might have subsequently contracted the disease prior to actually taking your trip.

So the test needs to indicate if you're sick, and the results need to be very recent.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by nm9stheham

If you are trying to claim that the disease is all coming from outside, that is completely unsupported by the facts. The fact is this, per the Maine CDC Director, cited from the Press Herald:

"Now that summer has arrived and more out-of-state visitors are coming to Maine, there has been concern that the state’s numbers would creep up. However, Shah said of all the positive cases documented in Maine to date, only 111, or 3 percent, have been from people whose primary residence was outside the state."

So what is hard to understand about 3% of cases found in non-residents? Does anyone really think that those 3% have done all the spreading to the remaining 97%? LOL! The disease is established everywhere, and the far, far, far more prevalent spreading is between residents.. in all areas of the country now.

Let's take a look at Washington and Hancock counties. If it weren't for the people coming in, it wouldn't have been here. I m sure that you also noticed that the cases seemed to follow along the interstate. I'm reasonably sure that the corona virus did not originate in Maine, therefore it came from outside the state. Whether it was a local bringing it here, or a visitor, it makes little difference in the big picture.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by AustinB

I'm reasonably sure that the corona virus did not originate in Maine, therefore it came from outside the state. Whether it was a local bringing it here, or a visitor, it makes little difference in the big picture.

Makes little difference. Exactly.

The virus probably originated in China. Humans originated in Africa. Do we really need to nitpick over where it came from?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Makes little difference. Exactly.

The virus probably originated in China. Humans originated in Africa. Do we really need to nitpick over where it came from?

No but we need to nitpick where it is a hotspot right now. Fact is you are far more likely to catch it from somebody who just arrived from Florida, than somebody from Madawaska.

[Cuffler]

My wife and I needed to buy a home in Maine. We have another thread at this forum which documents the problems we initially encountered when we began our search back on June 5th. There wasn't anywhere to stay and we ended up staying with friends in another part of Maine. However, about midway through Knox county as you enter Camden, resturants and hotels opened if you followed strict PPE requirements. And, we confirmed that real estate was considered an essential business. So, we were successful but it was a trying time. We are being extremely conservative when it comes to this virus thing (My wife is a microbiologist). We are, however, finally closing on the 31st (fingers crossed).

[algo]

Obtaining proof of testing negative for the virus within 72 hours of arrival is impractical effectively putting Maine out of reach of travelers from all but five states.

[Charlie&Rose]

Everyone loves vacations....but in this time, I wonder if, it would be a great idea, if people could just enjoy, what they have in their own state! Every state has something special too offer. Maine, Florida, or where ever, will be there next year.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by algo

Obtaining proof of testing negative for the virus within 72 hours of arrival is impractical effectively putting Maine out of reach of travelers from all but five states.

What are they saying now, a 2 to 3 day turnaround on testing? It's cutting kind of close, but pretty doable with proper planning I would think. Wouldn't stop me from coming anyway.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by massnative71

What are they saying now, a 2 to 3 day turnaround on testing?

Depends a lot on where you get tested.

My wife's colleague had a COVID test at her doctor's office in the morning and had a result by late afternoon. Result: Negative.

Another family member went to one of the drive-up clinics in town. It took 5 days for results. Also negative.

[algo]

Originally Posted by massnative71

What are they saying now, a 2 to 3 day turnaround on testing?

In Massachusetts, the turnaround time is four to six days.