By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Governor Charlie Baker has announced new travel rules to take affect August 1. Baker said Massachusetts has a lower rate of positive tests than other states and he wants to keep it that way. Starting August 1, all travelers entering Massachusetts and all Massachusetts residents returning home must fill out the Massachusetts travel form and quarantine for 14 days unless they fall under an exception. Exceptions include a negative COVID-19 test result after travelers arrive in Massachusetts or are traveling from a lower risk state with a positive test rate lower than Massachusetts. Workers in certain critical industries also may fall into one of the narrow exceptions.
“Unless you’re traveling from a lower risk state or meet a narrow exemption you’ll be asked to fill out the Massachusetts Travelers Form and quarantine for 14 days,” said Baker.
Failure to comply with this order will result in a $500 a day fine. This order also includes students entering the state to return for their Fall 2020 semester.
“There are no shortcuts when it comes to containing COVID-19,” said Baker.
The new travel restrictions and the Massachusetts Travelers Form can be located on mass.gov.