Naim Haliti
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts introduced a 14-day self-quarantine requirement for visitors and returning residents entering the state. However, in June 2020, Governor Charlie Baker announced an exemption for travellers from seven neighbouring states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. This decision was made in response to a significant decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in these states. While the self-quarantine advisory was lifted for these states, it remained in place for visitors from other areas, except for essential workers. As of June 2020, Massachusetts was in Phase 3 of its reopening plan, with designated lower-risk communities progressing to Step 2, which included the resumption of indoor dining and increased office capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Information | June 30, 2020 |
| Self-Quarantine Requirement | 14 days |
| Who is Exempt? | Visitors from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont |
| Who Must Self-Quarantine? | Visitors from outside the above seven states |
| Exceptions | Essential workers |
What You'll Learn
Massachusetts quarantine exemptions
As of June 30, 2020, Massachusetts has exempted travellers from seven other northeastern states from its 14-day self-quarantine advisory. These states are Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey. The exemption was made due to declining coronavirus rates in those states.
The two-week quarantine advisory remains in place for most visitors from other places, except for essential workers travelling to Massachusetts for work purposes. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is instructed not to travel.
As of June 12, 2022, air passengers travelling to the United States are no longer required to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding. As of April 18, 2022, masks are also no longer required on public transportation, including on the MBTA, commuter rail, buses, ferries, and airplanes, or while in rideshares, taxis, and livery vehicles. However, the state recommends wearing a mask, especially if you have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease due to age or underlying medical conditions.
The state of Massachusetts encourages individuals to get vaccinated and stay up to date with the recommended doses for the best protection against COVID-19.
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Quarantine duration
As of June 30, 2020, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that visitors from seven nearby states would be exempt from a 14-day quarantine advisory upon arriving in the state. The states included Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The decision was made due to a “significant decline in cases and new hospitalizations" in those places.
The two-week quarantine advisory remains in place for most visitors from other states, except for essential workers traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes.
On June 24, 2020, Massachusetts instructed all travelers arriving in the state to self-quarantine for 14 days. This guidance was displayed on posters at service plazas along the eastbound Mass Turnpike, distributed as flyers at major transportation hubs, and posted on highway message boards.
On June 30, 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that travelers arriving in Massachusetts, including residents returning home, would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. However, essential workers and travelers from the tri-state area and the northeastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont were exempt from this requirement.
The 14-day quarantine advisory for out-of-state visitors to Massachusetts, which directs people to stay inside and avoid contact with those outside their household, is a guideline rather than a mandate. Gov. Baker acknowledged that there were "real constitutional issues" associated with restricting travel between states.
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Travel form and testing requirements
As of June 30, 2020, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that visitors from seven nearby states would be exempt from the 14-day quarantine advisory upon arriving in the state. These states include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. This change was due to a "significant decline in cases and new hospitalizations" in those places.
However, visitors from outside these seven neighboring states should still comply with the 14-day quarantine guideline, which has been in place for nearly two months. This does not apply to workers deemed essential coming into the state for work purposes.
All visitors entering Massachusetts from designated states, including returning residents, must complete a travel form and either provide a negative test result from up to 72 hours prior to arrival or quarantine for 14 days. This requirement was in place as of November 2020 and may have changed since then.
It is important to note that the situation with COVID-19 is constantly evolving, and the guidelines and requirements for travel may change. Therefore, it is recommended to check the official websites and sources for the most up-to-date information before planning any travel.
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Quarantine for essential workers
As of June 30, 2020, essential workers traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes were exempt from the state's 14-day self-quarantine advisory. This advisory directs out-of-state visitors to stay inside and avoid contact with people outside their household.
Essential workers in Massachusetts are entitled to certain rights if they need to quarantine due to COVID-19. For instance, most employees in Massachusetts can earn up to 40 hours of job-protected sick leave per year, and this leave must be paid if the employer has 11 or more employees. Employees may also choose to receive Unemployment Insurance first, if eligible, and save their earned sick time for later use.
The Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who need to take time off to care for an ill or ailing relative. The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may also pay unemployment benefits to a worker who is quarantined by a health official or medical professional, or who leaves employment due to a reasonable risk of infection or to care for a family member.
Additionally, almost all employees are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance, overseen by the Department of Industrial Accidents. If an employee contracts COVID-19 due to a work-related reason, they may be eligible for Workers' Compensation, receiving payments to partially replace their paycheck and for medical care.
While there is currently no federal or state law requiring employers to compensate employees with hazard pay, there have been several proposals submitted to the Massachusetts legislature that would provide additional support to essential workers. For example, the Heroes Fund would give essential workers up to $25,000 in hazard pay, and the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay program distributed $500 million to lower-wage frontline workers.
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Quarantine for symptomatic individuals
As of June 30, 2020, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that all visitors with COVID-19 symptoms entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. This advisory, which directs out-of-state visitors to stay inside and avoid contact with people outside their household, is in place for most visitors from other places, except for essential workers traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes.
The quarantine advisory does not apply to travelers from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as the northeast states of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These states were exempt due to their low positive test rates and a significant decline in cases and new hospitalizations.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is strongly advised not to travel or enter the state. This includes individuals with a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms indicative of COVID-19. If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is recommended to get tested and follow the appropriate quarantine guidelines.
The state of Massachusetts emphasizes the importance of social distancing, hygiene practices, and wearing masks to help contain the spread of COVID-19. These precautionary measures are crucial, especially when individuals are unable to maintain a distance of six feet from others in indoor or outdoor public spaces.
It is important to monitor your health and be vigilant in following the recommended guidelines to protect yourself and others from the potential spread of COVID-19.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 30, 2020, travelers from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey are exempt from the state's 14-day self-quarantine advisory. This is due to the declining coronavirus rates in those states.
As of June 30, 2020, travelers returning to Massachusetts from the seven states mentioned above are also exempt from the 14-day self-quarantine advisory.
No, essential workers traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes are exempt from the 14-day self-quarantine advisory.
