Virus exposure at NH church; Vermont announces relief funds

BOSTON (AP) — A look at coronavirus news from around New England:

MAINE

Masks and social distancing will be required when Maine holds its first murder trial since the coronavirus pandemic crippled much of the U.S. legal system this spring.

Carine Reeves, of New York City, is scheduled to go on trial next month in Bangor in the killing of Sally Shaw, 55, of New Gloucester.

The Bangor Daily News reports that jurors, lawyers and and the judge will all wear masks. Jurors will sit in the gallery instead of the jury box so they can sit 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Members of the public, including reporters and family members of the victim, will sit in a separate room to watch a live video stream of the trial.

Court officials are sending jury summonses to 500 people to ensure that they can find enough fair and impartial jurors who are willing to serve under the coronavirus rules, said Peter

Schleck, manager of operations at the

Bangor courthouse.

Maine public health authorities reported 12 new cases and one additional death from the virus on Saturday. There have been more than 4,000 confirmed cases and 125 deaths because of the virus.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

MASSACHUSETTS & RI

Rhode Islanders can make quick trips across the border to Massachusetts for things like groceries without having to fill out a form or produce a coronavirus test result, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said.

Rhode Island was recently removed from the list of lower risk states that allowed residents there to be exempted from Massachusetts travel quarantine requirements.

Rhode Islanders coming to Massachusetts must now comply with a new executive order mandating they quarantine for 14 days or face a $500-perday fine. Travelers who can produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours before their arrival in Massachusetts are exempt.

But Baker said Friday that people who live near the border can still come into Massachusetts for things grocery shopping or banking and won’t be fined, as long as they wear a mask.

“Go to the store, do your shopping, wear your face mask, keep six feet apart from people, and go home,” Baker told reporters.

Massachusetts reported 320 new confirmed cases on Saturday and 12 additional deaths. There have been more than 8,700 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths and more than