<p>Gov. Charlie Baker announced further crack downs on out-of-state travel on Friday, issuing a strict travel order for visitors from most of the country.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced further crack downs on out-of-state travel on Friday, issuing a strict travel order for visitors from most of the country as the Vineyard enters what is traditionally the busiest month of its season.
In a press briefing held Friday morning, Governor Baker said he had signed an executive order earlier in the day requiring travelers to the state to abide by a 14-day quarantine and fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form before arriving in the state. Effective August 1, the order applies to all travelers, including state residents returning home as well as students arriving for their fall semesters.
Travelers from what the governor has termed lower risk states, including all states in New England, as well as New York, New Jersey and Hawaii, are exempt from the order. Anyone who receives a negative test within 72 hours of arrival, or receives a negative test after arrival, is also exempt from the order. Travelers must stay quarantined until they receive a negative test result.
Failure to comply with the order may result in a daily $500 fine, the governor said Friday, with enforcement conducted by the local boards of health and contact tracing cooperatives.
“Every traveler, no matter where they come, has a responsibility to keep Covid out of the commonwealth,” Governor Baker said.
Airlines, bus lines and rail services will be required to disseminate the travel form to passengers, the governor said. Hotels, lodging services, short-term rentals and AirBnBs will also be required to inform their guests of the order.
The mandatory travel advisory comes as much of the Northeast — hit hardest early on in the pandemic — has seen Covid-19 cases flatline, while the positive test rate throughout the rest of the country continues to surge.
“We have a lower average for positive tests than many states around the country, and we want to keep it that way as travelers increase from around the country and the world,” Governor Baker said.
After issuing a travel advisory that functioned largely as guidance early on in the pandemic for out-of-state visitors, the governor loosened restrictions in the lead-up to the Fourth of July weekend, eliminating quarantine rules for travelers from New England. The Vineyard — as well as other seasonal communities — experienced their busiest weekend of the year.
But on Friday, the governor said three main factors, including the surge in cases nationwide, the continued expected increase in seasonal visitors to the state and the start of school prompted him to beef up the order.
“There are many parts of the United States that have seen a significant increase in their positive test rates, or their positive test rates per capita, over the past 30 to 60 days,” the governor said. “And that has really changed the game with respect to how we think about travel.”
The Steamship Authority has reported traffic on the rise as the summer has progressed, with ridership nearing 85 per cent of its normal late July capacity, officials reported at a recent board meeting.
“We all know Covid is not taking the summer off, and we aren’t either,” the governor said Friday.
Comments
Makes sense. Check all the
Kelce OBMakes sense. Check all the license plates of cars parked along state beach. Georgia, Texas, Florida, Alabama, South and North Carolina are well represented. It’s COVID spread potential for sure.
I moved to Fla in 2012. I
born and raised but moved years ago UnknownI moved to Fla in 2012. I rented two houses during that time, coming back and forth often. Moved back the end of 2017. Still have a Florida plate with a Massachusetts registration! Completely legal,, I rent, no children in public schools,, etc. I'll understand if I'm questioned by law enforcement, however the in your face @#$holes that question me I won't be as polite. The slogan "We're In This Together" is a joke! Glad I moved years ago, but never regret that I was born there and grew up in the 60's and 70's.Btw, I've been right here in Ma. the whole time.
Considering that the Island
Islander Martha’s VineyardConsidering that the Island police and the boards of health have had very little to no interest enforcing orders with the force of Law, how will it look on Martha’s Vineyard. To the editors Colin I would appreciate a follow up with the police chiefs of the island, as to Governor Baker’s orders. They seem to think that all of this is voluntary and that it’s a rather lighthearted affair. “Educate” visitors, it’ll be fine.
Wrong -- I was on Circuit Ave
T Bone Oak BluffsWrong -- I was on Circuit Ave today. A young woman in a Board of Health vest was confronting anyone not wearing a mask. It was good to see her in action.
Considering the governor
J. Maseda MVConsidering the governor keeps throwing down orders without consulting the local officials who are largely tasked with either enforcement, education or dealing with complaints I strongly recommend you redirect your vitriol to Governor Baker. His insistence on putting the burden on small local departments with what amounts to unfunded mandates is a folly at best, shameful at worst and serves mainly to line the pockets of businesses while stretching local resources to the breaking point.
Up to this point, quarantine orders have been an advisement, so, yeah, voluntary. And even today’s new August first quarantine order, while actually finally having the force of law, is expected to be voluntarily complied with (Bakers words!) and enforced by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, not local police, not health departments, not the ferry, not the airlines.
If you’re disappointed in the implementation and the outcomes complain to your elected state officials. They are the ones that have failed you.
I share your frustration with
Also Islander Also MVI share your frustration over those who refuse to make the most basic of community minded gestures. Not wearing a mask is saying “I don’t care about your life stranger.” I disagree with your characterization of the police and boards of health. These are not enforceable laws. The numbers of people flaunting the rules are overwhelming resources, by a factor of a thousand, and more importantly, everybody has a get out of jail free card. These orders from Baker are politics. They aren’t bad...there are a lot of people who do follow laws and adjust behavior based on them. But the fact is no cop or health agent can ticket for this. People not wearing masks cannot be compelled to provide ID, and can simply say they have a medical condition and the enforcement officer cannot ask what it is. Federal civil rights lawsuits against the town are a sure win if they try. We need either to shut the businesses down to discourage travel (not happening), bring in the national guard (not happening but what most boards of health would really like), or some new protests from armchair quarterbacks like you. The police would prefer the masses in favor of masks not walk the streets educating the sociopath jerks who spread this disease like it is a game. But maybe a show of solidarity from the community is needed? The maskless taunt the police when advised of mask requirements (go F yourself...happening all the time here). Until then, do what I do, thank my lucky stars I am not working as a cop or health agent in this pandemic and stay out of dangerous places where the maskless congregate. You are blaming the wrong people. Write to Baker. Demand legally enforceable laws and resources to enforce them. After all, he did say today that this order would be enforced by the honor system.
Good!
Skate Sharpener Smith HollowGood!
You all are Very quick to
Out of stater FloridaYou all are Very quick to forget who pays the bills for the islanders, without visitors and summer "dinks" there is no Martha's Vineyard economy... don't forget that!!!
We hear that a lot. Are you
Also Islander MVWe hear that a lot, the whole you would be nothing without people like me spending my dollars there. It hurts a tad. It has an element of truth. I tend not to remind people of my contributions to their welfare but that is just a different approach to class. Are you aware that all those tax dollars you pay for services you don’t receive (usually “I don’t have kids in school there!”) go straight through the Island and right on to Worcester, Lowell, Springfield? Of course you aren’t. You see, the formula the state uses to send the income tax I pay and sales tax I pay back to towns is based on two things. The local income (low) and the local real estate values (extraordinarily high). Towns with our average income that are not tourist spots get nearly half their budget from the state. Towns here get zero. You are contributing, just not to the island. Frankly, those places probably need it more. But thanks for the reminder we are all prostitutes here who must learn their place. Usually we accept all visitors with joy and hope they can learn from our community. Just now, with a global pandemic that suffocates our weakest, we’d like to avoid the meme of the Florida Man (though if you’d like some light hearted humor just google “Florida Man”). Sorry things are getting complex. How is that convention looking in Jacksonville? How are things at The Villages? Also, this whole statewide effort (sometimes flawed) is being funded by people like me, who pay income tax and sales tax year round. What do you pay to the commonwealth of MA? Nothing. You are welcome for my tax handouts to you. Safe travels.
The Island of Martha’s
Bulkington EdgartownThe Island of Martha’s Vineyard is not a charity. The health of those who live here and those who earn livelihoods here is not contingent on handouts. Islanders are not beholden to anyone. We are not obliged or indebted to those who visit because they spend money here in exchange for goods and services. There are businesses here, to be sure. Those who run them and work in them are not beggars. They work hard, and are worthy of respect, not contempt or condescension.
Also, don’t forget with the
Tom Bonham EdgartownDon’t forget with the new era of remote work there is a not unreasonable likelihood of professionals being able to move here full time. Hopefully they will bring their values of fairness, justice and culinary inquisitiveness with them.
As for Florida, my heart goes out to you. So much death and tragedy that could have been avoided if only greed didn’t prevail. I would thoughtfully suggest that going forward, you tone down your economic rhetoric. We are extraordinarily tolerant of visitors. We are also extraordinarily intolerant of those who expect unearned privileges based solely on their zip code. If you’re looking for unrequited kowtowing you’ve come to the wrong place. Respect is earned based on what you give to the community, how you care for your neighbors and your general kindness towards others. None of which seem to be referenced in your comment.
off Isalanders may pay the
Lois Purvis NMoff Isalanders may pay the bills, but if they bring the virus with their wallets, everyone loses...
So who is going to enforce
SDWSo who is going to enforce this? The Steamship Authority... I doubt it. I see FL, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, Cal, Colorado and more license plates all over this island. My hope is that we are not to late in enforcing this regulation.
I doubt anyone has the time
JeremyI doubt anyone has the time to enforce it. Maybe the hope is that the threat will make most people comply.
Way too late for this to be
John Cape CodWay too late for this to be put into effect as it's almost the peak of summer and doubt much of any enforcement will occur anywhere in the State of Massachusetts. People from out of state have already been here for quite some time now and Statewide COVID statistics are still flat so what does that tell you ? Watch the number of cases / hospitalizations / deaths and do what you need to do in order to protect yourself, as you are in charge of your own health !
I applaud Governor Baker for
Meghan WTI applaud Governor Baker for doing this and being pro-active. Enforcing these rules is going to be difficult. They mentioned short term rentals, which is much of the Island.
Perhaps, the Steamship should have people fill out a form when purchasing/reserving tickets. A form pops up when you enter your license plate to make a reservation on their website. In-person purchases should require a state ID check and then a subsequent form. If other forms of transportation require it, why not the SSA? Given the SSA's track record, this will probably not happen.
I think all Island towns should now require masks when in public. Signage should be posted when entering the town or busy/beach areas. As mentioned in the article, with the possibility of schools re-opening for in-person learning, the Island must be vigilant!
Mask up MV.
I was in Edgartown this
Mike KatamaI was in Edgartown this morning around lunch and would say proper mask wearing was at 70%. EPD where is the enforcement?
To the commenters who spy on
MK EdgartownTo the commenters who spy on license plates at the beaches... Please be grateful that they drove, rather than flew. They kept their germ pool and germ exposure to whomever could fit in a car. They put the effort to pack up their kids, families, and things, and drive 10 - 20hrs across the country, (skipping many closer vacation spots that they could have gone to), leaving in the middle of the night, just so they could come spend money at your stores and businesses. Helping you stay employed. Helping you stay financially afloat, so you can pay your rents and mortgages for what we all know is a long winter. Many MV visitors share the ideals and values of those on this island, (that's why they love to come back here year after year), and I'm confident that many of them are the sane mask-wearers in their home states. Many of them have likely been cooped up indoors, wearing masks when out, quarantining and not going anywhere, and their 20-hr drive to MV is their one change of scenery that they've looked forward to for months. When they get here they are not going to walk into your personal space and cough all over you without a mask. No, they are going to wear a mask, wash their hands, and respectfully distance. But they are also going to have to eat. And buy groceries, and get takeout - and for that we all get to keep earning a living. So please do not be so judgmental of your fellow humans because of their license plates. Do not villainize them because of where they live. That demonization is what is pitting North vs South, red vs blue in this country. There are millions of folks in those states that are being responsible, will continue to be responsible, and are not disease spreaders. Let's be grateful that they chose to go so far out of their way to spend money with us, because we sure know we'll need it come January, and when they're here on the island we can politely remind any non-mask wearers to mask-up or to stand a little farther away - should it even need to be said.
Amen to that. Please stop
Pat OhioAmen to that. Please stop being so judgmental - visitors as well as MV islanders are well aware of the importance of following Covid procedures of face masks, distancing and hand washing. Just looking to spend quality family time on a beautiful island with welcoming residents.
As someone with out of state
Linny West TisburyAs someone with out of state plates, don't assume that people are not following the rules. We will quarantine for two weeks until we can be tested. Don't key my car at Cronig's when I am able to leave the house.
Baker is just giving a
bs Oak BluffsBaker is just giving a diversion to all the other Governor's in the Northeast who are responsible for killing thousands of nursing home patients. Why on earth would we welcome visitors from the states that were responsible for the majority of deaths in this country and prevent visitors from states that had almost no deaths. This guy is nuts!
Thanks, and we can but hope
island girl IslandThanks, and we can but hope that this isn't too late to prevent Wave 2 and//or Wave 3. We did the responsible thing, and we continue to do so as many islanders are still maintaining a low and safe profile. Rather than "dissing" the BOH personnel and the police, please give the very short handed BOH personnel the resources AND THE SUPPORT AND THE THANKS that they deserve. How about clamping some tires from out of state cars, particularly those from hot spots. In general I find that the local public officials and the town staff and the medical staff folks are doing a wonderful job and working way over time to keep YOU AND ME safe. I have spoken to folks who ae here to vacation, and who profess to know nothing about quarantine or who own several houses and are obsessed with the money that they make (or will lose). Get over it and act for the better good.
First place visitors go after
Jennifer OBFirst place visitors go after getting off the boat, food shopping. They’re not going to quarantine. How about no out of state travel unless from said states that the governor mentioned. Period. Hawaii did it, why can’t Massachusetts?
That is a lot easier to
Eric Out of townThat is a lot easier to enforce in a place where visitors have to arrive by plane or boat. A lot fewer points of entry to have to watch and much easier to stop and question people as they disembark.
72 hours? Fantasy Land. You
Mr. B Chilmark72 hours? Fantasy Land. You aren't getting any sort of result in that predictable a time frame, and when you do get your result, it's likely to be (first) a verbal one over the phone. Read the article in the Gazette on the increasing delays in getting results from the folks testing at the high school...and they are sponsored by a family that owns the company!!! How do you time your test so as to get the results within 72 hours of your arrival in the state? Good press for the Guv but comically impractical when it comes to an honest citizen's attempts at compliance.
I signed up online and got
Right Whale Hooter BuoyI signed up online and got tested at the high school testmv last Thursday at 9am and got the result (Negative) by email on Friday at 3pm, exactly 30 hours which I thought was an acceptable turnaround. I would encourage my fellow islanders and visitors alike to do the same to keep our and your communities safe. Stay safe, peace.
Are the people not wearing
Jennifer New JerseyAre the people not wearing masks only outside? Or do they refuse inside as well? Just curious
It’s annoying that people
MD/MVY EdgartownIt’s annoying that people assume that out of state plates means that people are not complying. I have Maryland plates but have been on island, largely staying at my house and wearing my mask if I go out, since May. Should I start keeping my SSA ticket and a history of random island receipts to prove that I didn’t just land here? What about Ma plate people who’ve traveled- guess they get a pass since they have the right plates ...
Comments are interesting, but
Marie EdgartwonComments are interesting, but have you looked around and wondered when the next surge will be. How about the high school holding graduation at the busiest time of year. Families from all over our great country. I had to go off island this week and the ferries are wild, some masks, some not. Look at our beaches, really? We are no different than Florida was a couple of months ago. Who can we blame? I have no idea, everyone, or no one. All we can do as an island is pray because we truly sold out.
High School graduation was
Gail Gardner Oak BluffsHigh School graduation was done very safely. Don’t try to put a pock mark on it. Everyone was masked. Families were in vehicles at least 6 feet apart and wearing masks. Students sat 6 feet apart and wore masks. Students picked up their diplomas themselves - no handshakes or hugs except for the school committee leader and her daughter. People were compliant and respectful. And it happened now because this is when the governor’s timeline said it could happen. Don’t bring something into the travel restrictions that has nothing to do with it. I was there and felt perfectly safe, as did my daughter. They did an excellent job.
Gail, yes it was done well.
Lorraine EdgartownGail, yes it was done well. I was not there but I saw photographs and it all appeared very organized and decorous. This class got to graduate with a meaningful celebration for the graduates and the friends and family. Well done, to all.
Bought a box of masks and
MR BostonBought a box of masks and will go food and booze shopping before leaving Boston. Coming prepare next Saturday and looking forward to my annual vacation in OB. Much respect for the locals.
I've explained to my house
Claire ChilmarkI've explained to my house renters (a 2 week and a 3 week) that Vineyard Grocer delivers. We did a test run while cleaning up for the summer and they were Fantastic! $22.00 plus tip is peanuts once you take into account up island Cronig's is closed etc. We've always used Our Market for alcohol delivery and they're perfect!
I think it's a lot easier for some than others to distance. My house comes with a Quansoo key which given what it takes now to get a Lucy Vincent sticker is a game changer. (Sticker must be sent to the Chilmark address... Yeah sorry haven't had that in 30 years)
If we can hang in here & keep people wanting to come back it's good for all of us. The hit we took for Baker's short term rental tax (9.7% in Chilmark signed between Christmas and New Years fyi) shouldn't be added to this.
Now to piss everyone off. Islanders? You need masks too.
We look forward to our MV
AK DenverWe look forward to our MV visit in two weeks. We are driving. From Colorado. And we wear our masks always, adhere to all best practices for minimizing risk to ourselves and others. And we are testing before we leave, and again prior to arrival. Sure, testing in the USA is more or less useless when results don't come within a day or two. But there are many of us, hopefully a majority, that think strategically and plan accordingly. And by doing so, minimize risk to the greatest extent possible. If you're going to judge and draw conclusions, let it be based on behavior and not a license plate.
I'd have to agree with a
fact checker edgI'd have to agree with a prior poster about the lack of compliance in Edgartown. I'd say his 70% compliance was very accurate. There needs to be an electronic sign posted at the entrance to town on Main st by the monument clearly stating the mask requirement. The small signs posted in town are not sufficient, as a bicyclist or pedestrian wouldn't tend to pay attention to the no parking/loading zone signs that share the post.
You may want to start with
Lulu BostonYou may want to start with the good old Steamship Authority. No social distancing on buses. 30 people sitting side by side. Ok. Driver with mask below nose and when I suggested he pull it up properly, he responded “if you don’t like it you can get off the bus” Ok. There is nothing about the Steamship that makes me feel like they’re looking out for the safety and well being of their passengers.
Smart move Gov.
Edith Phillips FloridaSmart move Gov.
Add new comment