Tim Johnson

Travel, Testing Guidelines on Martha’s Vineyard, Questions and Answers

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A list of answers to frequently asked questions for visitors and returning residents.

Here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions for visitors and part-time residents about travel and testing during the coronavirus emergency. It will be updated as new information becomes available. If you have a question that you would like answered, email [email protected] and we will try to answer it in this column.

Current information on restaurants and other businesses that are operating can be found in What's Open, What's Closed on Martha's Vineyard.

What are the rules for people arriving from out of state?

Anyone arriving in Massachusetts is required to fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a state determined to be lower risk or can produce proof of a negative Covid-19 test administered not more than 72 hours before arrival. As of Dec.  9, only Hawaii was considered lower risk. Anyone failing to comply is subject to a fine of up to $500 a day.

Are ferries running normally?

Steamship Authority ferries are running daily from early morning to late evening. For up-to-date schedules, visit steamshipauthority.com/schedules.  Patriot Party Boats runs a year-round passenger and small freight shuttle between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs, and offers after-hours water taxi service (https://www.patriotpartyboats.com/water-shuttle/).

Where can I stay?

Hotels, inns and lodging services like Airbnb are open and allowed to operate with strict cleaning requirements in place. They are also required to inform guests at the time of reservation and at the time of check in of the 14-day quarantine requirement and travel form for most out-of-state travelers. Minimum periods of separation between rentals are also required for lodging services. 

Will I be welcome when I get to the Island?

Yes, as long as you join the Island community in observing state and local guidelines, including wearing masks in public, social distancing at all times and keeping dogs on leashes. Effective Nov. 6, everyone in Massachusetts is required to wear a face covering in public, even when they are six feet or more from another person. An advisory from Gov. Charlie Baker effective Nov. 6 also limits the size of gatherings and asks people to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Are restaurants open?

Many Island restaurants are open for carry-out and outdoor dining, with a smaller number offering limited indoor dining with strict social distancing. A few offer home delivery. Some seasonal restaurants have closed or have limited their hours. Our feature, What’s Open and What’s Closed on Martha’s Vineyard, is updated daily.

What about grocery stores, shops and farm stands?

All the Island grocery stores are open except for Up-Island Cronig’s. Face coverings are required for all market attendees. Many Island farmstands are open with different rules for ordering and pickup.  Pharmacies and most retail stores are also open.

Are buses and taxis operating?

Vineyard Transit Authority buses run seven days a week. The VTA sanitizes its buses daily and has hand sanitizer stations aboard each vehicle. Schedules are posted at www.vineyardtransit.com/bus-route-schedules.

Taxi services also are operating. Masks are required on all bus, taxi and share rides such as Lyft and Uber.

Are public restrooms available?

Yes, there are public restrooms in each of the Island towns. The Steamship Authority bathrooms are available year-round.

Are Island trails open for hiking?

Properties managed by the Land Bank, Sheriff’s Meadow and the Trustees of Reservation are all open for hiking. Hikers must follow posted rules and stay at least six feet from others. Dogs must be leashed. Some deer hunting is permitted through December, so woodland walkers should be aware, stick to main trails and wear brightly colored clothing, especially in the early morning and near dusk.

What about going to the beach?

Massachusetts beaches are open with restrictions including at least 12 feet between groups. Masks are required while entering and exiting beaches. 

What other activities have been affected by the pandemic?

Golf courses and tennis courts are open, with social distancing required. Charter fishing is permitted, but there are limits on the number of people on boats. Houses of worship are open, although most are still holding services online. Two movie theaters are open, with strict capacity limits and mask requirements. Hair salons, nail services and pet groomers are open, again with restrictions. Island library buildings remain closed, but are offering contact-less pickup of books and other materials.

I understand there is testing available for Covid-19 on the Island?

Yes, thanks to a partnership among Quest Diagnostics, Island Health Care and the Island boards of health, TestMV is offering self-administered drive-through screening for people without symptoms at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School by appointment to any resident or visitor to the Island. More information on the program is available here. To schedule a test, call 877-336-9855.

Does the test cost money?

No. Most insurance providers are required to fully cover the cost of the test. For those without insurance, funding is available thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Bank to ensure that anyone who wants a test can receive one without payment.

What happens if I test positive?

Patients who test positive will be contacted by a contact tracer or their local board of health via telephone. The contact tracer will guide the patient through a series of questions, hoping to identify close contacts. Positive patients will be required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days, or until released from monitoring by public health officials. During this period, positive patients cannot go to public spaces, including the grocery store, and patients are only allowed to leave isolation to seek medical attention. Resources are in place through volunteer groups and Island Health Care to help provide essential services for people who need to isolate, including grocery shopping and food delivery.

What should I do if I show symptoms of Covid-19?

If you experience symptoms of Covid-19 and don’t have a primary care physician on Island, call the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital's call center at 508-684-4500, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The hospital is testing symptomatic patients and their close-contacts for the virus. 

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 17:37

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Roger Washington, DC

Thank you for posting that information. It is most helpful. We frankly don't think that the suggested 14 day self quarantine the governor's suggesting makes any sense. When we arrive, we need to get groceries, and that cannot wait 14 days.

Islander MV

It is a guideline not a law. You are free to come here and enjoy your second home. You may dismiss the guideline. It is your right. But, you might ask yourself if coming to an island you probably profess to love is being thoughtful and considerate of others. There are 25 hospital beds and three ventilators. The whole country is reopening and it may all just have been a bad dream, and the threat is gone. But maybe not. Are you infected? Probably not. Are all the people who think this way infected? Definitely not all of you. But are a few of you? Math says yes. Bring it here. Take up a few beds in the hospital. As a taxpayer you will proclaim your constitutional right to come. Nobody will argue that. But please don’t kill off our elderly and immune compromised. Please don’t destroy the lives of our first responders and especially hospital staff. So you can do your vineyard thing. Be thoughtful, think of others less fortunate than you, and sacrifice for them. That probably read like a joke to you. But this isn’t the Hamptons.

I’m an “islander” too

You are the exact reason why I hesitate to head to MV. I quarantined for ten — yes, TEN — weeks in my home because it was unbelievably bad where I live. The danger has passed here and I am healthy. You are more of a danger to me than I am to you. Yet there you are, sanctimonious and ready to judge anyone with out of state plates.

Lah d’ahdee Mv

Oh, Roger. We’ve always delighted in your sense of humor. Surely you have a cooler or two laying about. Put some ice packs in there, toss in your frozen packs of sous vide bourguignon and kale shake pellets. Bring some beans, rice and durable winter vegetables. Seems pretty manageable.

These are difficult times for all. Please don’t forget that you can bring groceries and stay at your home up here to wait out a quarantine rather easily...but if people aren’t as sensible as I hope you will be than community spread shortly become a reality and medical helicopters with fully trained staff are amazingly in shorter supply than a cooler and some well thought out dry goods.

Jude Summer Visitor who respects Islanders and the rules

This was the sweetest most direct response that could have been delivered to sender.
Love the writing and candid humor!!

Susan Desmarais Oak Bluffs

You could bring groceries with you. A cooler with ice packs will keep things that need refrigeration cold for several hours.

bs OB

As you mention it is suggested and by no means required. Islanders go off island every day and return to the island without self quarantining.

John Katama

Exactly. I'm here but it's a double standard what locals are doing on/off island vs expecting of visitors.
Come and relax. Do your grocery shopping....just use precautions and follow the rules.

TisKid VH

Is there evidence that a lot of Vineyarders are going out of state, and coming back, and not self quarantining? Do Vineyarders go off island and stay there for a week or the summer? Or do we then return to our own homes and our small hospital? How many Vineyarders are making joy trips during a pandemic? I'm pretty sure our off island day trips have been pretty seriously curtailed. The boats reduced their schedules dramatically. The evidence is that Vineyarders largely stopped traveling, and seeing as how we go days between positive tests at the hospital the evidence is that we're doing a much better job than the rest of the state at social distancing even though it is a huge sacrifice for our economy.

Jamie West tisbury

You bring what's needed like other people have done. Use coolers and bring your food. Please respect our rules here on Martha's Vineyard, we have had low case numbers because we have worked incredibly hard to keep them that way. I understand that it certainly is an inconvenience, but for this summer season it is what needs to happen. Remember a vacation is a want not a need. Safe travels

Toni

Isn’t the island tourist dependent? If so mass guidelines of face coverings for everyone should help with the spread of germs... remember the stay home was about lessening the impact on our hospitals not stopping the spread of the virus that won’t happen til there a vaccine.. good luck staying home til then...

Kim off island

Jamie-thank you for your thoughtful reply. You wrote everything that was needed. I've been coming to MV for 20 years and always enjoyed the hospitality of the island. Out of respect for MV, I will wear a mask and maintain social distancing. I live in NYC and know what following these health guidelines mean.

D.K. Florida

It does make sense. You must order your groceries or have someone shop for you for the first 2 weeks. I think that we all have to respect one another.

Rich Vineyard Haven

Learn the rules, there is no "must" in this scenario. There is no quarantine requirement. The governor has "urged" people entering Massachusetts from outside Massachusetts to do this for 14 days, but you can come from Boston or elsewhere in the State and act exactly like you would if you lived on the Island. People from MV go off island all the time, they don't return with two weeks of groceries.

Ken Aquinnah

There are many delivery services available including groceries. The measures that have been taken by the local governments are to protect the public, are reasonable considering the circumstances and are backed by a majority of the residents on Island. I hope you take that into consideration.

gina Menemsha/ NYC

Some of us travel without bringing a car since we have an Island vehicle that stays on Island yr. round .. But have shipped many "supplies" vs buying them locally. Not to endanger anyone..

Anne Maryland

This is huge dilemma for a vacation renter. I do not want to take a chance on getting the virus, nor give it to someone if I am asymptomatic. I am over 62 and traveling through many states to arrive on MV - gas stations, over night lodging, ferry, rest stops. I will only be on the Vineyard for 9 days. Quarantining in a rental home for the entire time is not a vacation. I have paid thousands of dollars ($6000+) for the house rental and will not be refunded the money unless I opt to give up the rental time and hope that someone else rents it. And, then only receiving a percentage back. The rental company says, "Many summer vacationers are going to come to the Vineyard and are already arriving." In other words, we are open for business so there is no recourse. The rental companies need to provide a refund, if people want to opt out of the lease. These are unprecedented times. Sorry if owners are losing money to this situation, but I think many (including me) would welcome the option to put that money towards the summer of 2021 rental in that house. Thank you!

Susanne Massachusetts

We are a MA family who are looking to make MA our vacation destination this summer. We had summered in MV last summer, but had initially planned a trip overseas for this summer. Instead, we are researching how we can at this late date rent a house for two weeks or more in MV again, presumably if we can arrange reasonable car ferry and house rental logistics. Maybe the MV visitors bureau and Rental agents can help out out of state renters, VINYARDERS and MA Residents by publishing a list of available rentals if you are now considering changing your plans. It takes significant coordination, but it is a potential win-win or at least next best option for perhaps everyone...

Diane upstate New York

Agree! We are in the situation of having both a one-week rental and a paid-in-advance hotel reservation. If we do not come, we lose all of those funds. If we come, we are expected to quarantine. The real estate company is urging renters to come. The hotel is not yet reopened. Neither are providing us with options. It would easy for us to delay until 2021 if given the option. Perhaps the accommodations costs could be shared instead of a burden for either renter or leasor.

Libby Atlanta

Anne makes a good point. If year-round residents and their political representatives want to reduce the number of short-term summer visitors, they need to pressure landlords to provide refunds for people like Anne or roll their payments over until 2021. It seems greedy to complain about people coming and then keeping their money if they follow your wishes. Where is the incentive?

Jane Lancellotti Aquimnaj

North Tisbury Market has an online ordering service. Vineyard Groceries delivers. As does the Larder. There are great options for not having to appear at the market — those are the safest if you wish.

Lisa Foster Chilmark

Vineyard Grocer offers delivery of groceries. Some care takers and others also offer to do your grocery shopping if you pay them their hourly rate. Check around. Farm stands, fish markets, Conroys, and many other businesses already have a lot of products that you can order ahead and pick up curbside. It's easier than you think to self-isolate to be safe.

Carole Connecticut

Bring your own groceries so you don't need to go out as much. Have some respect for the native population. This isnt the end of the world.

Editors

Stop & Shop is open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily for people 60 and over. For updated information about businesses and their hours, see our feature What's Open, What's Closed on Martha's Vineyard (vineyardgazette.com/coronavirus/whats-open-whats-closed-on-marthas-vineyard).

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 20:34

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Peter Bruce Chilmark

biking is allowed "with consideration for traffic," -- seems vague. And the question is important on the narrow island roads where there is no bike path --

Bikes have full legal authority to ride on state roads, and motorists must show due consideration: "If the lane is too narrow to pass safely, the motorist must use another lane to pass, or, if that is also unsafe, the motorist must wait until it is safe to pass." (see MGL Chapter 89, Section 2 and Chapter 90, Section 14, source massbike.org)

joanne Chilmark

I will clarify. "Consideration for traffic" means that if a biker is holding up a line of traffic, pull over and let the cars pass. Common courtesy. Thank you.

Quitsa Chilmark

Thanks for pointing this out. It never ceases to disappoint that so few people seem to understand that when they see a cyclist on the road, that person has exactly the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as someone in a car or truck. No, you do not have to ride on a bike path even if there is one parallel to the road. The only exception are limited access highways with posted restrictions, which of course we don't have on the island. Over the years I have had countless experiences of people yelling at me out of the car windows. I pay the same taxes and have the same right to the road. I follow the traffic laws. If you have ever ridden in Europe in a country such as France or Italy, the drivers are almost without exception careful and considerate of cyclists. The same culture needs to be reinforced here, not "show due consideration" which implies a less than equal status.

On the insolvable debate over tourists and seasonal visitors, we have a sharply focused version of the national debate over the tension between public health and economic activity. There is no way around the statistical reality that quadrupling or quintupling the island population with people from parts of the country with higher infection rates will add dramatically to the risk for the people here. Is it worth it? "Where you stand depends upon where you sit."

Islander Too

Re rights of bicycle riders: Second that.
People here go on and on about showing consideration, follow our rules, don't endanger other people.
There are very clear rules of the road.
While you are on your obey the rules soapbox, remember to respect the rules of the road and do not endanger others. That means: Respect bikers' rights to the road.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 21:44

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Amy Edgartown

Roger -
Frankly I feel that it is thinking like your own that is nonsensical and that may continue the spread of this virus.

There are many alternative options to obtain groceries while also maintainOh safe, self quarantine
1- bring your own supplies with you. It’s 2 weeks. It’s not that hard
2- hire someone to shop here for you
3- take advantage of establishments that allow order in advance option - non contact pick up options
Please, please stay out of the grocery store

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 10:29

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Nancy Edgartown

So what if you only rented for one week? I planned this family vacation for 13 of us. Now there will be no restaurants that will take a large group and what about the beach. I want to change it to 2021, but the owner says can’t do that. So I’m stuck paying a fortune to switch houses for a week.

Jamie West tisbury

Sometimes things happen and we can't change them. We as humans become so self absorbed and selfish, that we come to expect things to be a certain way, and if they are not, we see it as a huge inconvenience. While I am sorry that your vacation will not be what you or other members of your family anticipated, this is an opportunity to make the best of it during these strange times. Nothing we do or say right now will change what we face right now. When you booked your vacation you had no idea, nor did anyone for that matter, of the situation that would present itself. To use a nautical term "Ship Happens"

Dee Edgartown

This is why the island towns need to prohibit short term rentals of less than two weeks. Then renters have a right to demand a full refund. If people keep abusing social distancing and mask wearing we won’t make it to phase 2 anyway. In Phase I no short term rentals for leisure purpose allowed.

Rich Vineyard Haven

Are you going to ban day travelers as well? And you apparently want to put the Island's numerous Inns and Hotels all out of business, since no one stays at an Inn for two weeks.

John Oak Bluffs

I agree 100%. Stop rentals of less than 2 weeks. It's not fair that we have kept our numbers low and now all of a sudden we have an influx of people with no symptoms of Covid but are carriers and don't know it. Good luck, but I hope that mask wearing and social distancing is enforced... by law enforcement. Give them something to do.

Patricia Brown Denis Tampa

We rent for a week as well. Always have because of our schedules. At the end of July. We make full use of the well appointed kitchen and cook two meals a day. We walk every where and just enjoy the scenery and each other.

Caitlin Tisbury

There is always a risk that a vacation will be canceled for any number of reasons, and that’s something you have to accept when making that commitment and paying the money. This is one of those extremely rare situations where no one wins. We’ve been quarantining to keep our community safe, and following the guidelines of our governor. If you do decide to bring your large party here (at this time you are not legally allowed to be gathering in groups of over 10 mind you or even renting a home), then I hope you follow the guidelines as we have been. Including bringing your own provisions, cleaning supplies and PPE. We are extremely limited here, and become more so by the day.

Dee NJ

How can it be a situation where no one wins, if the entire burden falls on the renter? The homeowner, realty company and the renter should share the burden. Partial refunds (of at least half) should be standard if they won't just roll the dates over to 2021. Wouldn't that be the most fair?

Christine New York/Edgartown

I have a home in Edgartown which I enjoy for many weeks during the summer and which I have rented for several weeks for the past 4 years. I learned about a month or so ago that MA is prohibiting short term rentals during the crisis. Owners are restricted from honoring rentals even for bookings made before the COVID crisis so I am puzzled that owners are not allowing renters to get out of their bookings without cost or question. Renters should research their rights to make sure they are not being taken advantage of. Any reputable homeowner/renter should understand the current situation and not try to take advantage of potential renters. We are all in this together and should not be putting such pressure on people, especially if government regulations prohibit such rentals!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 10:54

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New Englander Edgartown summer

Great photo by Tim Johnson and perfect placement at the head of this article.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 11:14

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Rose Edgartown

As Dr. Fauci just recently said “it’s time to open up responsibly.” No need to have off-islanders feel unwelcome! Our businesses need the revenue and we need to try to get back to some type of normal! This virus is not going away! We may never see a vaccine. We can’t stay hunkered down inside forever! Enjoy the island using good judgement!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 11:36

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Kate Edgartown

Folks, we need to be realistic about this 14 day quarantine. We soon will have day trippers coming to the island. Perhaps not as many as before, but enough. They will be walking around and going into shops and restaurants that are open. They will NOT be
In quarantine for 14 days

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 11:51

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MVY Home owner Katama

What about people from MA coming to the island? According to our state laws, they don’t need to self quarantine. Are MA residents welcome but not out of staters? I have an idea, how about islanders stay on island and don’t leave. Maybe the island needs to become fully self sufficient? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
Where do you think all of our supplies come from? By plane or trucks, from people that don’t necessarily live in MA. Are they welcome to come in & deliver your supplies or do they need to self quarantine for 14 days first?
How about the islanders that were Covid positive that we sent off island? Maybe they should have stayed? That’s putting a risk on the non-island population. Oh but, the Boston Hospitals were more than welcoming for these people in need.
Many islanders have lived for years off the money of our island visitors and now these people are not welcome? When island businesses start disappearing and people on island are going hungry, then maybe you might be a bit more welcoming.
If people are following the social distance, face masks and not going out in public if they have symptoms guidelines, the same as all of us islanders, then what is the problem? Unless you feel these guidelines are preposterous and don’t work?
Not all islanders share this negative and unwelcoming attitude towards people coming from off island. I have many neighbors here from out of state right now. Do you other islanders now not welcome your out of state neighbors? No more cook outs with the Smiths from NY? Have you shared such negative sentiments to their faces? So much for the island unity and loving your neighbors? I welcome all to the island who are following the CDC guidelines and are being safe.

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