Health & Fitness

Rhode Islanders Now Required To Quarantine In Massachusetts

The new rule goes into effect Friday.

Rhode Islanders heading into Massachusetts will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Rhode Islanders heading into Massachusetts will be required to quarantine for 14 days. (Rachel Nunes/Patch)

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island was removed from Massachusetts' "lower risk state list" for the coronavirus Tuesday, meaning Ocean State travelers will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The new rule goes into effect Friday.

Massachusetts was the third state to put Rhode Island on the quarantine list Tuesday, following the example of New York and Connecticut. It is the first state in the Northeast to be placed on the higher-risk list in these states.

The announcement comes the same day that 438 cases of coronavirus were reported in the Bay State, a 146 percent jump from last week.

Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Under the rules in Massachusetts, anyone who travels into the state and disobeys the quarantine and test guidelines could face fines of $500 per day. The quarantine rule is exempted for anyone who shows proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival.

Rhode Island has similar rules for out-of-state travelers for much of the country and Puerto Rico.

Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Related: MA Coronavirus Cases Up After Days Of Steady Increase

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