Travel

Massachusetts Removed From Rhode Island Coronavirus Travel Ban

Rhode Island is still on Massachusetts' list of higher-risk states.

For the first time since August, Rhode Islanders are free to go to and from Massachusetts.
For the first time since August, Rhode Islanders are free to go to and from Massachusetts. (Dave Copeland/Patch)

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island removed Massachusetts from its coronavirus travel advisory list, meaning residents can now freely travel to and from the state without the need to get tested or self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

The state isn't completely in the clear, however. According to the Massachusetts state website, Rhode Island is still considered a high-risk state. All the continental U.S. and Alaska have this designation; only Hawaii and Massachusetts are considered "lower risk" at this time.

Here in Rhode Island, 40 states are considered high-risk at this time. These states are listed below. New England neighbors Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont are all considered lower-risk, while travel to New Hampshire is still restricted.

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  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Rhode Island's travel restrictions apply to states with a percent positivity rate higher than five percent. Anyone who travels to Rhode Island from a higher-risk state, including Rhode Island residents who are returning from a trip, must self-quarantine for 14 days or show proof of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours.

"Quarantining for 14 days is always preferred over relying on a negative test result as quarantining is the best way to limit the possibility of spreading COVID-19," the Department of Health's website said.

Find out what's happening in Cranstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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