People arriving from the nation’s smallest state will now have to quarantine for 14 days or present a negative PCR test.
On Tuesday, August 3, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently announced that Rhode Island visitors would no longer be exempt from the new rules requiring out-of-state travelers to quarantine for 14 days or show proof of a recent negative COVID-19. The announcement comes amid the recent rise in cases in Rhode Island. The new measures will come into rule on Friday, August 8.
All travelers arriving in MA from RI must fill out a form, quarantine for 14-days or produce a negative COVID test. Exemptions apply for regular commuters. Please visit https://t.co/A3A2CeAiV0 for more info. #covid19MA
— Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) August 4, 2020
Governor Charlie Baker pointed out the change will also apply to all Massachusetts residents returning from vacation in Rhode Island. The governor said there will be some exceptions, however, including all those traveling across the border for work, school or medical care.
As of Friday, August 8, the only states exempt from quarantine will be Connecticut, Hawaii. Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.