LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Labor Day weekend is about to begin, and it’s expected to be a pretty busy travel weekend, despite COVID-19.
Massachusetts is requiring a 14-day quarantine or negative COVID-19 test for travelers coming-in from all states except for:
Lower-risk States
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Delaware
- Colorado
Massachusetts Travel Form
Travelers from COVID-19 lower-risk States are not required to fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and do not need to quarantine. States are included on the list based on meeting two criteria: average daily cases per 100K below 6 AND positive test rate below 5%, both measured as a 7-day rolling average. Data is from covidexitstrategy.org as of August 28, 2020.
Mass.gov
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Rhode Island
This also applies to Massachusetts residents returning from non-exempt states. It’s important to note that Rhode Island is no longer on that list of exempt states.
Vermont
Vermont is only allowing quarantine-free travel from counties that have 400 or fewer cases per 100,000 people. Berkshire and Franklin counties meet that requirement — but Hampden and Hampshire counties do not.
Maine
Maine is requiring a 14-day quarantine for Massachusetts residents, or requiring a negative COVID-19 test.
If you plan on going out of state but not too far Massachusetts residents won’t face any restrictions while traveling to Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, or New Jersey.
7 Day Forecast
According to MassDOT, there will be limited public amenities at some destinations and travelers will need to pack essential items including face coverings
As Labor Day Weekend traditionally sees more vehicles than normal using roadways, MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel, including:
- Shutting down construction outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective at 5 a.m., today, Friday, September 4. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8.
- Deploying the High Occupancy Vehicle lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy earlier than usual in the afternoon by opening at 1 p.m., on Friday, September 4. The HOV lane will be closed on Monday, September 7.
- The additional “swing lane” on Route 1A southbound at the Sumner Tunnel remains suspended until further notice.
“Safety is always MassDOT’s first priority and this Labor Day Weekend is no exception. With COVID-19 restrictions in place we would ask all travelers to follow all guidance and social distancing at rest stops and at their ultimate destinations. We encourage travelers to plan their trip in advance to include any additional traffic volume, and rest stops,” Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said.
