In a media conference yesterday, MA Gov. Charlie Baker said in response to a question as to why MA residents aren't welcome in Maine: "We've got a lot of great vacation spots" and encouraged residents of MA and 7 nearby states to take advantage of them this summer.
In an earlier conversation with MA health officials, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said that in evaluating COVID-19 incidence of other states, the 2 metrics used are rate of new cases and positivity rate - and that based on the most recent 7-day moving average, Maine's positivity rate was 1.6% vs. 2.3% for Massachusetts.
Shah also said that his office continues to examine COVID-19 data for MA and RI and "could allow travelers from those states or others if the numbers improve."
Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, all travelers arriving in Massachusetts - including returning residents - are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. By state, the only exceptions, beginning 1 July 2020, are travelers from:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Critical infrastructure workers traveling to MA for work are also exempt.
"All persons are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19."
