COVID-19 Information
Stay safe and help stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) - see the following information:
Mid Coast Hospital COVID-19 update 1/27/22
Every household in the US is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Follow link: https://www.covidtests.gov/. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 to order your free tests.
211 Now available to answer questions
Resources Help List updated 4/24/20
Vaccine Consult line - get answers to your questions. 1-866-962-6062
COVID-19 Vaccine Update from Mid Coast Hospital. Further update 2/4
In need of internet to stay connected during these times? See offer by Comcast
Town of Harpswell's COVID-19 Response Plan
Midcoast Hospital link Midcoast Update 11.12.20
https://brunswickdowntown.org/brunswick-business-updates/
Remember to practice social distancing on Harpswell's trails and properties in order to keep these open! See guidelines.
EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2020 GRADUAL RE-OPENING OF TOWN OFFICE
IF YOU CAN CONDUCT BUSINESS BY PHONE, MAIL OR ONLINE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO SO. SEE THE ONLINE SERVICES TAB
THE TOWN CLERK’S, TAX COLLECTOR, CODES AND ASSESSING OFFICES ARE OPEN, ALL OTHER OFFICES, AND PASSPORTS, REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS. IF YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 833-5771.
- FACE COVERING REQUIRED—IF YOU NEED ONE, WE HAVE ONE FOR YOU
- SOCIAL DISTANCING—PLEASE MAINTAIN 6-FEET FROM OTHERS
- BRING YOUR OWN PEN
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US KEEP HARPSWELL HEALTHY
Update: Follow Governor’s Orders/Guidelines—Local Order Not Extended by Board of Selectmen
To avoid any confusion with the Governor’s Order regarding short-term rentals, lodging, and 14 days of self-quarantining for those coming to Maine, the Board of Selectmen decided not to extend its separate local order, which ended at midnight on May 14. All businesses are advised to follow State and CDC guidelines for re-opening the Maine economy. You can follow Governor Mills’ Orders and Guidelines at the following link: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/ and the Department of Economic and Community Development Checklists for businesses at https://www.maine.gov/decd/covid-19-prevention-checklists
Also, visit the Town’s link to COVID-19, at https://www.harpswell.maine.gov/index.asp?SEC={0F784C99-DB82-4577-BB2D-DC4D0A754056}where we continue to add information about COVID-19 and available resources, including a link to Mid Coast Hospital.
We appreciate how understanding the Harpswell business community has been during this unprecedented public health emergency, and we want to encourage everyone to follow best practices in their business endeavors to protect themselves, their families, employees, customers and guests, particularly those who may be most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.
Please note that pursuant to the Governor’s Order all out-of-state travelers coming into Maine, and Maine residents returning to Maine, are required to complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
The Harpswell Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2020 to extend the current Order prohibiting short-term rentals and transient lodging. The order also recommends that non-residents refrain from returning to Harpswell; however, if they do come, they are responsible for quarantining for 14 days.
This Order, which had been scheduled to end on April 30, 2020 is now extended to midnight of May 14, 2020 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Board. Both the Order and Extension are attached.
As with the initial Order, the Board did not take its action to extend lightly, but did so out of concern for protecting public health and slowing down the spread of COVID-19 during this pandemic.
We appreciate your patience and resilience during this unprecedented time.
Questions concerning the initial Order and its extension can be directed to the Town of Harpswell’s Emergency Management Agent Arthur Howe at 207-833-5771, ext. 126.
The Board of Selectmen adopted this Emergency Order, which is effective immediately, at its April 2 meeting.
As a result of this order being adopted, short-term rentals of private residential properties are prohibited, whether or not consideration is exchanged. All short-term rental arrangements that are currently in effect are subject to the terms of this Order, except to the extent that occupancy already commenced prior to the date of this Order. In addition, the prohibition applies to hotel, motel, bed and breakfast and/or any other type of transient accommodation.
Also, the order recommends, on the strongest terms possible, that owners and invitees of seasonal homes and/or non-primary residences remain in the location of their primary residence. It goes on to state that if owners and/or invitees choose to occupy their unit during the effective period of this Emergency Oder, they must self-quarantine for at least 14 days.
We very much appreciate your help in getting the word out and ensuring that this order is followed. Questions regarding this Emergency Order should be directed to our Emergency Management Agent Art Howe at 207-833-5771, ext. 126.
March 30 Update: While the Town Office is closed to public access until further notice, the staff is conducting business in the following ways:
- Online at www.harpswell.maine.gov
- U.S. postal service at Town of Harpswell, P.O. Box 39, Harpswell, ME 04079
- Leave documents in our drop box located on the building in the patio area
- Call us by phone at 833-5771. If we do not answer, please leave a message.
We are taking these actions to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Be well and thank you for your continued understanding.
The Board of Selectmen adopted the attached order at a Special Meeting on March 23. The Board agreed to adopt this Order Extending the State of Emergency in the Town of Harpswell, which renews and extends the Emergency Proclamation made by Board Chair Kevin Johnson on March 18, 2020, and which extends the deadline for renewal of certain commercial shellfish licenses, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Should you have questions regarding this Order, please contact the Town’s Emergency Management Agent Arthur Howe III at 833-5771, ext. 126.
March 18, 2020 UPDATE: The Town Office will be closed for the remainder of this week and for all of next week. Visit our Online Services page on our website at harpswell.maine.gov for more information about how to conduct business online. This action is being taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Stay healthy and thank you for your understanding.
Effective immediately, Kevin E. Johnson, Chair of the Harpswell Board of Selectmen, has issued an emergency proclamation regarding the public health threat of COVID-19. This imparts to the community the gravity of the COVID-19 situation and makes it easier for the Town to access additional resources, if needed. Arthur Howe III, the Town’s Emergency Management Agent, may be contacted for further information. Please call 207-833-5771, ext. 126 or email: ahowe@town.harpswell.me.us