CT, NJ add MA to travel restriction lists due to rising COVID-19 cases, NY urges residents to use caution

BOSTON — Massachusetts is now on multiple travel restriction lists in other states because of the higher COVID-19 numbers here. Gov. Charlie Baker told Boston 25 News that he heard from both governor’s in the tri-state area around New York City.

“We said we thought it was a bad idea and they said thank you very much for your opinion,” Gov. Baker said.

Massachusetts is now on the quarantine list for Connecticut and New Jersey. New York is urging residents to use caution if they come into Massachusetts.

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“We have travel advisories, other people have travel advisories, and my one message would be, I think people should do what they can to abide by those,” Gov. Baker said.

Bernie Ghee and his wife just drove up from New Jersey to visit family. Their state now requires them to quarantine or get tested when they return.

“It’s very hard,” Ghee said, even though it’s incredibly easy to not leave your house or just get a COVID test that nearly all insurance companies cover. “We are tired of the restrictions of the lives, but this is the new normal.”

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Christina Pietrzak lives in Dudley and regularly cross over into Connecticut. There are exemptions like going to work or a store over the border and visiting family.

“The numbers are going up, so I guess we all just have to do our part,” Pietrzak said.

Massachusetts still has similar restrictions on Rhode Island from the summer but has not put any new restrictions on any other nearby states.

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