AUGUSTA — Governor Mills extended Wednesday the State of Civil Emergency for 30 days through September 3.

The Governor’s decision, per a news release, to extend the emergency is in line with nearly every other state in the nation, which also have ongoing emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association. 

“Maine people have taken the tough but necessary steps to protect the health and safety of us all, and it is their actions that are allowing our economy to reopen in a gradual and safe manner,” said Governor Mills. “But we cannot let our guard down. This deadly virus is still with us, and while I am proud of the progress Maine has made, we are not immune from the surges we have seen in other states. We must all stay vigilant and stay safe.”

A State of Civil Emergency allows Maine to continue to draw down critical Federal resources and to deploy all available resources to respond to COVID-19, according to the release. 

This is Governor Mills’ fifth extension of the State of Civil Emergency. Under Maine law, State of Civil Emergency Proclamations may only be issued in 30 day increments.

As of August 3, adjusted for population, Maine ranks third lowest in the nation in terms of positive cases; eighth lowest in the nation in terms of deaths; fourth lowest in terms of patients ever-hospitalized out of the 36 states reporting; and fifth highest in the percentage of people who have recovered out of the 42 states reporting.