Visitors to Portland City Hall and other city buildings will no longer have their temperature taken or be asked health screening questions, but masks will still be required, the city announced Friday.

The city updated its COVID safety requirements for employees and visitors following announcements last week by federal and state officials that removed requirements for social distancing and masks. Legislative leaders decided Thursday that the Maine State House would reopen to the public May 24 on the condition that all visitors wear masks.

Starting Monday, Portland will no longer require the public to have temperature checks or answer health screening questions when entering city buildings.

The city expects people to do their own self-screening prior to entering any city building and not visit if they are not feeling well, according to city spokesperson Jessica Grondin.

Everyone will still be required to wear a mask, even if they have been fully vaccinated. City staff that interact with the public will also be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

City Hall and other city buildings continue to be open to the public only for limited services. The city clerk’s office and parking office will serve walk-in customers from the basement level of City Hall, while the treasury office is available by appointment only. All other city services will continue to operate virtually and via email.

In the next month or two, city officials will reassess plans to fully reopen buildings to the public, according to Grondin.

“Our updated guidance is based on keeping our employees safe, while also continuing to provide essential city services and transactions for the public,” Grondin said in a statement. “We’re asking the public to please be patient and kind as we continue to stay the course, with the understanding that this is an interim step in the right direction. And we ask you to use that same kindness and understanding when visiting other retailers and places of business who have also decided to continue to require some level of safety measures. While we look forward to the time when we can be back to our buildings being fully open, we will only do that when it is entirely safe to do so.”

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