Sounds like it did. In my past experiences, the pilot has made an announcement that people may get off to go get food but should return immediately to the gate area for an announcement on boarding. The pilot made it perfectly clear that anyone not at the gate when reboarding was announced would be left behind.

However one point to the OP, how long were the waits at the gate while maintainence was onboard. If a short period of time than I can understand not allowing paxs to deplane.