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Massachusetts' Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine Takes Effect August 1, 2020 for all arrivals (visitors and returning residents) with a few exceptions for residents of lower-risk states (currently just 8 states), those who have received a negative COVID-19 test result within the 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts, and a few other exceptions for critical infrastructure workers, military, and the like.
Importantly, similar to New York and Hawaii, there are potential penalties for non-compliance: a civil fine of up to $500 daily for each day of failure to comply.
Governor Charlie Baker today (July 24) announced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all visitors to Massachusetts and returning residents who have been anywhere except in one of the lower-risk U.S. states.
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The lower-risk states are just the following 8, currently: Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont.
The criteria are two-fold: average daily cases per 100K population and positive test rate <5%, both measured on a 7-day rolling average.
Arrivals over 18 and unaccompanied minors who are not otherwise exempt from testing or quarantine requirements must also complete the Massachusetts Travel Form, which includes fields for permanent contact information, Massachusetts address and dates of stay, and certification of health status and that the traveler will abide by the quarantine until a negative COVID-19 test result is received.
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Will the Quarantine Be Enforced?
Currently, there's no explicit enforcement mechanism for the Massachusetts quarantine, unlike, say, Hawaii, where a team of contact tracers does aim to contact arrivals, both visitors and returning residents, based on the contact info of their travel forms. Governor Baker has been quoted as saying that the honor system has worked well so far. That said, airlines, hotels and rentals are expected to inform travelers of the quarantine requirements, and public service announcements will be made at airports, train stations, and highways in Massachusetts.
Will the Massachusetts 14-day quarantine affect your travel plans?
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