Maine Issues Mandatory Masks For Most Counties

Governor Janet Mills issued an executive order requiring businesses in certain counties to enforce customers wear masks, according to the Press Herald. The report quotes the Governor as saying,

It is important that we wear face coverings as people begin to interact more and more.....  Doing so can slow the spread of COVID-19, protect the health and safety of those around us, support businesses and allow us to safely reopen our economy. I know it may be inconvenient for some, but I also believe that Maine people care about each other, and this simple gesture is a small price to pay for knowing you could save someone’s life.

The counties mentioned in the Executive order, according to the report are Cumberland, York, Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc, as well as the cities of Bangor, Brewer, Lewiston, Auburn and Augusta.  The report states that the order mandates businesses with more than 50,000 square feet of space require customers to wear masks inside their business.

I'm wondering how the businesses will be able to mandate this.  I can foresee "situations" where people don't want to wear one.  What is a business owner to do then?  Call the police, I guess, right?  Tricky situation for the business owner.  It will take some diplomacy on their part if they have a customer that doesn't want to wear one.  They will have to learn to negotiate, potentially with customers who are opposed to wearing a face covering, but I think it's quite necessary and an easy ask.

I wonder if Governor Sununu will make a similar mandate for NH?