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Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued a stricter mask mandates this week as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation. Mills issued her order on Thursday, requiring Mainers to wear masks in public spaces at all times, regardless of distance from others. Previously, under the governor’s executive order, people were not required to wear masks in public if they could stay at least six feet away from others. (Hellmann, 11/5)

New coronavirus restrictions in Massachusetts begin Friday, including a statewide face mask mandate. Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced a series of restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to rise: Some businesses, including gyms and museums, must close by 9:30 p.m., all gatherings must end by 9:30 p.m., indoor gatherings must be limited to 10 people, outdoor gatherings cannot exceed 25 people and everyone over the age of 5 must wear a face covering at all times. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills issued a mask mandate regardless of whether people can physically distance from others. (Flores, 11/6)

Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday issued an executive order requiring Mainers to wear face coverings in public no matter their distance from others. That order comes amid a days-long surge in coronavirus transmission with new cases surging to levels not seen even in the earliest weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the latest move from the Mills administration to tamp down on rising case levels, following the governor’s move last week to push back the reopening of bars and tasting rooms. Burns, 11/5)

The day before Michigan expects to record the 200,000th case of the coronavirus in the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on legislators to pass a law requiring residents to wear masks in indoor places and crowded outdoor areas. The governor said she sent a letter to Republican lawmakers this week asking them to pass a bill. Lawmakers, especially Republicans leading the House and Senate, have asked to have more of a role in the process of tackling the pandemic, Whitmer noted. Now is their time to act. (Boucher and Shamus, 11/5)

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy indicated Thursday that he’s preparing to roll out new statewide restrictions to combat the increased spread of Covid-19 in the state. “How close are we to doing something? Close,” he said in response to a reporter’s question during his regular briefing in Trenton. “We will be clearly taking action, and I hope it will be action that balances all the various challenges and interests that we have. But right now, we’ve had really good success with the hot spot teams.” (Madonado, 11/5)

KHN: How Escalating COVID Cases Forced One State To Change Its Masking Strategy

In Montana’s conservative Flathead County, prosecutors and local leaders were turning a blind eye to businesses that flouted state mask and social distancing mandates, even as the area’s COVID infections climbed to their highest levels. When asked during an Oct. 7 press call from Montana’s capital city whether the state would step in, Gov. Steve Bullock said it was up to the locals to enforce the directives. (Houghton, 11/6)