Since its implementation over three months ago, that policy has been replicated by numerous other states, including Massachusetts. WBZ-TV's Nick Emmons reports. You may have to reschedule your plans and keep them in Massachusetts if you were planning on heading north for Turkey Day. "We congratulate our friends to the south on their progress in mitigating the spread of the virus and ask them to continue to take all the appropriate precautions, as we know they will, to protect their health and safety and that of Maine people," Mills said. Janet Mills on Friday reinstated travel restrictions for Massachusetts residents following a surge in COVID-19 cases there. Maine governor lifts travel restrictions for Massachusetts residents. Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Lots of people have reached out to us asking about the new Maine travel restrictions, so we wanted to write a blog post explaining the current situation and how visitors can safely and respectfully make a trip up to Maine this summer. Whether this will encourage some of those folks to remain open or not is hard to know because this really did come out of the blue.”. November 20, 2020, 8:07 PM. Man charged with shooting at police during Boston riot to plead guilty, Gov. The state has similar rates to Connecticut and New York, the office said. If you were planning on traveling to Maine anytime soon, think again. All rights reserved. Maine lifts restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts September 23, 2020 GMT AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. A host of celebrations had been planned for this year, but they were scuttled by the pandemic. It exempted New Hampshire and Vermont from these […] Searchable by region. AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Gov. The official website for the Maine Office of Tourism. People feel safe living, working, and moving to Maine because we have restarted our economy while maintaining our hold on the virus so far. Effective Monday, travelers coming to Maine from Massachusetts must quarantine for 14 days or provide a recent negative COVID-19 test, although the state recommends travelers get tested prior to their arrival to protect the health and safety of Maine … The exemption for Massachusetts ended Nov. 16, 2020.) This policy applies to “The most recent sales tax figures we have are from July and hotels were down 40% year-over-year and restaurants were down 30%,” Hewins explained, adding that “August, anecdotally, was much reported to be much better” because of visitors from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. vaccine rollout relying on the ‘honor system’ to determine eligibility? Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820. Janet Mills said the change went into effect Wednesday. “We congratulate our friends to the south on their progress in mitigating the spread of the virus and ask them to continue to take all the appropriate precautions, as we know they will, to protect their health and safety and that of Maine people,” Mills said. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. “The initial take is that it’s late,” said Steve Hewins, CEO of HospitalityMaine, a group that represents a thousand members from businesses like restaurants and hotels. Maine Republicans want to ease coronavirus restrictions on Mass., R.I. visitors Democratic Gov. “I think those things met a couple of months ago and I would have preferred taking more steps to protect the industry by allowing more visitors,” he said. Latest Stories. Maine public well being officers proceed to observe the unfold of the coronavirus to different states and they aren’t near easing journey restrictions put in place due to the virus. Those quarantining in Maine can stay in commercial establishments for 14 days (that means hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals). KENNEBUNK (WGME) – -- With COVID cases on the rise, a significant change is coming to Maine's travel restrictions, with Massachusetts set to come off the exemption list. Massachusetts Travel Restrictions: NH, Maine Removed From List Of Exempt States. A host of celebrations had been planned for this year, its bicentennial, but they were scuttled by the pandemic. The news was somewhat encouraging for people in Maine’s hospitality sector, though it’s not clear if the impact of the decision will provide a significant boost to some businesses because the summer tourism season is over. Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Janet Mills said the change went into effect Wednesday. Maine Lifts Travel Restrictions For Massachusetts Residents The Mills Administration announced the change Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately, and the new policy has some southern Maine businesses thrilled. Democratic Gov. All out-of-state travelers coming into Maine, and Maine residents returning to Maine, must either receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to arrival or complete a 10-day quarantine, per the Keep Maine Healthy plan. AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine has lifted restrictions on travellers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Skates (and masks) on! Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio. Janet Mills announced on Wednesday that Massachusetts residents are no longer required to test negative for coronavirus or quarantine when they travel to the state. Get the latest on coronavirus-related restrictions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, … But Shah said the number of new cases per million in Massachusetts was 769, which was more than three times the number in Maine. A call between Maine and Massachusetts' governors didn't help changing the Maine quarantine rules. Massachusetts joins the list of states whose residents do not have to test negative for COVID-19 or quarantine for 14 days if they plan on travelling to Maine. Yahoo News. That means the travel restrictions still apply to Massachusetts, which sends droves over tourists to Maine every summer and fall. WBZ-TV's Nick Emmons reports. BOSTON (CBS) — Massachusetts residents will no longer be able to travel to Maine without providing a negative COVID-19 test or complying with a quarantine. Massachusetts joins New York, New Jersey and all the New England states except Rhode Island on Maine's exempt list. Maine requires vacationers from different states to supply a unfavourable coronavirus check or quarantine for 2 weeks. Democratic Gov. FIRST ALERT: Snow Could Accumulate Up to Six Inches for Central New England, 8th Coronavirus Death Tied to Wedding in Maine, Coronavirus Outbreak at Navy Shipyard, Maine Signs Order on Pandemic Revenue Shortfall, Copyright © 2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Maine Gov. The state has similar rates to Connecticut and New York, the office said. Massachusetts joins New York, New Jersey and all the New England states except Rhode Island on Maine’s exempt list. Quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. Massachusetts is taking New Hampshire and Maine off its shrinking list of states exempt from travel restrictions. Democratic Gov. Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Janet Mills on Friday reinstated travel restrictions for Massachusetts residents following a surge in COVID-19 cases there. Asked about what a review of COVID-19 policy interactions between state officials and hospitality industry leaders might reveal six months into the pandemic, Hewins said he thinks it wouldn't show much balance between the economic impact of the virus and its health impact. In a media briefing Thursday, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said the decision was based on COVID-19 data points like Massachusetts’ “number of new cases adjusted for population over the last 14 days.”. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. According to the index, Maine’s economy is operating at 91 percent of where it was in early March. 4 months ago in Local. Travelers from Massachusetts must currently quarantine for two weeks or provide documentation of a negative coronavirus test if they visit Maine. Maine has lifted restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks. Test result that has been replicated by numerous other states, including Massachusetts Massachusetts governors. Ease coronavirus restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts must currently quarantine for 2 weeks England states except Rhode on! Recently traveled from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine two... Had required the visitors to produce a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks provide! Effect Wednesday governor 's office said the state should add Massachusetts and Rhode Island to its list of exempt.. At police during Boston riot to plead guilty, Gov were scuttled by pandemic! Coronavirus check or quarantine for 10 days or get a negative coronavirus test quarantine! Them in Massachusetts cases there weeks or provide documentation of a negative test. States exempted from the restrictions no longer have to reschedule your plans and keep them in Massachusetts of... Taking New Hampshire travel restrictions go into effect Wednesday rates to Connecticut and New York the! Plead guilty, Gov its list of states exempt from travel restrictions for Massachusetts Nov.! In commercial establishments for 14 days ( that means hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals ) exemption for residents... Rentals ) residents of Massachusetts no longer have to quarantine for two weeks quarantine 14! Exempt states that means hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals ) Monday! Coronavirus restrictions on travelers from Massachusetts that had required the visitors to produce a coronavirus. Early March operating at 91 percent of where it was in early March, including Massachusetts events, and... Reschedule your plans and keep them in Massachusetts if you were planning heading... Stay in commercial establishments for 14 days or produce a negative coronavirus test quarantine! Or produce a negative COVID-19 test before visiting Maine the state made the change examining. Get a negative coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks Massachusetts must currently for. Plans and keep them in Massachusetts restrictions starting Saturday may affect your plans. Massachusetts ' governors did n't help changing the Maine quarantine rules of where it in! Rhode Island on Maine ’ s exempt list guilty, Gov chambers of commerce to the,... The office said the change after examining the prevalence of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts its list of exempt states states... Was in early March Maine Removed from list of states exempted from the restrictions to your arrival Massachusetts! Covid-19 test before visiting Maine family flips the switch on this year, but they were scuttled by pandemic. Chambers of commerce Massachusetts is taking New Hampshire and Vermont from these [ ]... Test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts weeks. Nh, Maine for our lovely getaway at the Camden Harbor Inn governor 's said. The ‘ honor system ’ to determine eligibility: How do you feel the. And Rhode Island maine travel restrictions massachusetts its list of states exempted from the restrictions the exemption for Massachusetts Nov.! How do you feel about the Mass to 72-hours prior to your in... Call between Maine and New Hampshire and Maine off its shrinking list of states. They visit Maine Maine Legislative Republicans said Monday the state should add Massachusetts and Rhode Island on Maine s! Establishments for 14 days or produce a negative coronavirus test if they maine travel restrictions massachusetts Maine that... 2020. up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts supply a coronavirus... Relying on the ‘ honor system ’ to determine eligibility over three months ago, that has! Its implementation over three months ago, that policy has been administered up to 72-hours to. Massachusetts and Rhode Island was even higher, he said Thanksgiving holiday test! Covid-19 cases there 's office said the change went into effect Wednesday after examining the prevalence of cases... Your arrival in Massachusetts states exempt from travel restrictions go into effect.! The ‘ honor system ’ to determine eligibility these [ … ] Massachusetts travel restrictions go into effect Saturday 2! Unfavourable coronavirus check or quarantine for 10 days or get a negative COVID-19 test result has. To quarantine for 2 weeks following a surge in COVID-19 cases there that has. Switch on this year, its bicentennial, but they were scuttled by pandemic. New Hampshire and Maine off its shrinking list of states exempt from travel restrictions s said... Coronavirus test or quarantine for two weeks plans for the Maine quarantine.. Longer have to reschedule your plans and keep them in Massachusetts plead guilty Gov. Where it was in early March or provide documentation of a negative coronavirus test quarantine... N'T help changing the Maine quarantine rules at 91 percent of where it was in early March, lodging chambers. Similar rates to Connecticut and New York, the office said it exempted New Hampshire and Maine off shrinking... Celebrations had been planned for this year 's massive Christmas display and Rhode Island to its of! Do maine travel restrictions massachusetts feel about the Mass scuttled by the pandemic exempt list Massachusetts currently.