WPRO News

New Massachusetts travel restrictions requiring either spending 14 days in quarantine or a negative COVID-19 test as a result of the coronavirus do not apply to people who commute across the state border for work or cross over the line to go grocery shopping, Gov. Charlie Baker said on Friday.

On the day the new restrictions took effect, Baker postponed further advancement of the Phase 3 of Massachusetts reopening plan.

Baker was asked about the travel ban and how it applies to those living close to state borders.

“There’s exemptions for people who commute to and from for work. There are exemptions for transitory activities,” Baker said. “Grocery shopping, banking, although I would certainly say to most people if you don’t bank remotely and you can figure out how to do it, you probably should.”

“Go to the store, do your shopping, wear a face mask, keep six feet apart from people and go home,” Baker said in a briefing at the State House in Boston.

“If you do go to Rhode Island, or if go anywhere in Massachusetts, you’d better wear a face covering. And I don’t think you should be doing recreational activities. If you want to recreate and you don’t want to have to abide by the rules associated with the travel ban stay in Massachusetts. There’s plenty of nice places to recreate around here,” Baker said.

Baker on Friday outlined new limits on outdoor gatherings from 100 to more than 50 people, while keeping the limit on indoor gatherings at 25, and announced a new task force to enforce public health rules. The changes come in response to an uptick in coronavirus cases, believed due to larger than allowed gatherings.