Maine COVID Guidelines for Weddings as of April 5, 2021

BARS

All food service must follow Maine's Restaurant Checklist. Guidelines vary by county. Bar or counter service must follow physical distance guidelines.

bUFFETS

Buffets and self-service food stations (e.g. hot and cold bars, bulk items, baked goods) should adhere to these additional minimum guidelines:

1. 1. Patrons may self-serve food if hand sanitizer stations are located at both ends of the buffet or self-service station and signage is posted to require hand sanitizing before each visit to a station.
   2. If areas are not configured for self-service, designated staff (e.g., buffet attendant) should serve onto patron’s plate while wearing a mask and gloves, and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance with patrons and other employees.
   3. Separate buffet stations should maintain 6 feet of distancing and allow for physical distancing between patrons throughout establishment.
   4. Impermeable barriers should be put in place between servers and patrons; patron and servers should not exchange or pass the same plate multiple times.
   5. Queue points should be established 6 feet apart with markers to encourage social distancing.
   6. Queues should be limited to patrons from the same dining party to the extent possible.
   7. Utensils used for serving should be changed hourly.
   8. Children in self-service food areas must be supervised by an adult.
   9. Masks must be worn at all times by individuals in self-service food areas.

COCKTAIL HOUR

When attendees are not seated or standing at a table they must not remove their mask and must not consume food and beverage if members of different parties/household/families are within six feet.

DANCE FLOOR

Select attendees, who are designated to the Responsible Parties prior to the event, may participate in ceremonial dances with members of their immediate party/household/family (e.g., first dances at a wedding reception) so long as they maintain six feet of separation from other attendees. Attendees must wear masks while dancing and maintain six feet of physical distancing when possible. 

GUEST COUNT

1. All indoor gatherings:
   • Effective March 26, 2021 through May 23, 2021: 50% of permitted occupancy or 50 persons (or 5 people per 1,000 square feet for retail establishments), whichever is greater.
   • Effective May 24, 2021 and thereafter: 75% of permitted occupancy or 50 persons (or 5 people per 1,000 square feet for retail establishments), whichever is greater.
2. Any outdoor gathering taking place at a facility or event that is subject to a permitted occupancy limit is subject to the following limits:
   • Effective March 26, 2021 through May 23, 2021: 75% of permitted occupancy.
   • Effective May 24, 2021 and thereafter: 100% of permitted occupancy
3. People in a shared space must be able to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from individuals outside of their household group/travel party. If a space cannot accommodate individuals maintaining 6 feet of physical distance, further restrict the number of individuals allowed in that space beyond the limits established by Executive Order.

MASKS

Masks must be worn by all individuals (including vendors and attendees) in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order. Attendees must wear masks at all times, including when seated at their table, except while eating or drinking. Attendees are strongly encouraged to put on their mask any time there is waitstaff at the table (e.g., when delivering food or drink, busing tables).

MUSIC

Entertainment personnel must follow physical distancing and mask guidelines.

1. 1. Activities like singing or using a projected voice project respiratory droplets in greater quantity and over a greater distance, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, particularly with prolonged exposure. Maintain at least 14 feet of separation—and more if possible—between audience members and performers. Maximize physical spacing between performers on stage. Face shields are recommended for singers in addition to masks, if practical.
   2. Performances without singing and/or wind instruments present a lower-risk of COVID-19 transmission. Consider pursuing these types of entertainment options.
   3. Because singing is a higher risk activity, well-fitting, three-layer, surgical-style masks are recommended.
   4. Transmission risk increases with the duration of the performance. Consider limiting the duration of performances.
   5. In indoor settings, performances that include singing or playing of brass or woodwind instruments must not take place at times when patrons may be eating or drinking.
   6. In outdoor settings, performances with singing or playing of brass or woodwind instruments may take place while patrons are eating or drinking.
   7. Where possible, install barriers to minimize travel of respiratory droplets from vocalists and brass and woodwind instruments. Set up bands to maximize physical distancing between musicians. Consider installing sneeze guards/mute shields between musicians, if possible.
   8. Karaoke presents unique COVID-19 mitigation challenges. Karaoke should not take place in indoor settings where the audience will not be wearing masks (i.e. when patrons are eating or drinking). Karaoke participants must wear masks at all times. Any shared equipment (i.e. microphones) should be cleaned and disinfected between uses.

SEATING

The maximum group party size per table is 8 people. Tables must be spaced six feet apart.

TENTS

Tented events should follow outdoor gathering guidelines, so long as the sides of the tent are up, allowing for maximum ventilation.

VENUES

You can view a list of open business categories here.