Coronavirus Guidance Issued For Summer Visitors To Cape & Islands

BARNSTABLE, MA – Local officials have issued guidance for seasonal residents and visitors to Cape Cod and the Islands ahead of Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, which includes information for out-of-state visitors to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

The guidance is in effect as of Friday and is intended to provide critical information to seasonal visitors and residents about Gov. Charlie Baker's stay-at-home order and non-essential business closures that are in place through May 18, which is currently when the stay-at-home order lifts.

While the Cape and Islands have been successful in limiting the spread of the new coronavirus to date due to social distancing measures currently in place, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health says Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket remain highly vulnerable to a surge in cases with the seasonal increase in population in the warmer months.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Massachusetts as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

A regional task force has been created that includes the Cape Cod & Islands Legislative Delegation, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Barnstable County and Cape Cod Healthcare, as well as several town managers and community leaders. The guidance was developed in consultation with the Baker-Polito administration.

The guidance includes the following requests for season residents and visitors from May 1 to May 18:

• Please consider postponing any non-essential travel.
• If you must travel to the Cape and Islands, be aware Governor Baker has issued guidance instructing all travelers arriving in Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• People are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts if they are displaying symptoms.
• Please refrain from traveling to the Cape and Islands even from Within Massachusetts if you are displaying symptoms.

For those people who must travel to the Cape and Islands, the guidance includes several requests:

• Bring all necessary food and supplies with you to enable the 14-day quarantine, including prescriptions, cleaning supplies, personal health items and personal protective equipment.
• If you exhibit flu-like symptoms or respiratory illness during or after quarantine, do not go to work. Contact the local healthcare provider in your healthcare provider in your area for instructions on accessing care.
• Follow advisories on transportation, especially if you are traveling by ferry or air.

Hy-Line Cruises, the ferry service between Hyannis, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, announced its requiring all passengers to wear masks or face coverings amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

The Massachusetts Department of Health has issued a stay-at-home advisory where travel is only allowed for essential errands such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, going to the gas station and picking up take-out food. People are allowed to go outside for fresh air, but must practice social distancing and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and others.

Gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited until May 18 and all businesses that do not provide essential services have closed their physical spaces to workers and customers until May 18. Additionally, hotels and short term residential rentals are not open for reservations.

The seasonal guidance warns visitors that many of the amenities they are used to enjoying during the warmer months are currently closed.

"With your help, and all of us working together, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket can recover from this virus and these challenging economic times," the guidance said. "We look forward to welcoming you back."

Related:

• Coronavirus: Free Grocery Delivery For Barnstable County Seniors
• Barnstable Coronavirus: Officials Issue Mask Advisory
• Barnstable Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference