COVID-19 & Thanksgiving Travel

COVID-19 Travel Questions & Answers

Question: I am a MA resident returning home after traveling to a state that is not considered lower risk (such as Rhode Island).  I have proof of a negative test result on a sample taken before my out-of-state travel, and because I was out of state only for 48 hours, I am returning within 72 hours of the time the sample was taken. Can I use my negative test results taken before I left to satisfy the 72-hour testing rule and avoid quarantine? Answer: No, you must quarantine or obtain a new test upon return, unless you meet another exemption.

Question: I am a MA resident and I provide Critical or Emergency Services.  I plan to go on vacation to Florida with my family. Do I need to quarantine when I return home from Florida? Answer: Yes! Workers who travel from Massachusetts for personal or leisure reasons cannot rely on the Critical Infrastructure Worker exemption upon return. You must either quarantine or satisfy the testing rule. Your status as a Critical Infrastructure or Emergency Worker does not allow you to break quarantine—even to do that specialized work—following travel for personal or leisure reasons. Likewise, a Critical Infrastructure Worker who comes to Massachusetts for personal or leisure reasons cannot rely on the Critical Infrastructure Worker exemption upon arrival and must either quarantine or satisfy the testing rule.

Question: Where can I find the list of lower risk states? Answer: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

Question: I plan on visiting a non-lower risk state with my family for Thanksgiving. Do my children also need to have a negative PCR test to be exempt from quarantine if I tested negative? Answer: It depends on each child’s age. If your child is 10 or younger, then the child does not need a test if you as the parents have been tested. If the child is 11 or older, then the child needs to be tested, or will need to quarantine for 14 days, unless an exemption criteria applies.

Question: Other states’ travel restrictions include exemptions for trips that last less than 24 hours. Does Massachusetts have a similar exemption? Answer: No, there is no specific exemption for trips that last less than 24 hours.  Such short trips may be covered by exemptions like the ones for transitory travel or commuting for work or school.  Travelers arriving from places other than lower-risk States must fill out the Travel Form and self-quarantine or obtain a negative test result if they do not meet one of these exemptions.

Question: I received a call that I should go into quarantine because I was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. My test came back negative 3 days ago. Do I still need to quarantine Answer: Yes. If you were exposed to someone known to be COVID-19 positive, then you are at increased risk of becoming positive and will need to quarantine for 14 days in your home state.

Question: I had an antigen test which was negative, do I need to be tested again? Answer: Yes, a negative antigen test must be confirmed by a negative result from an FDA EUA-approved molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test on a sample obtained 72 hours or less prior to arrival in Massachusetts.

Question: I am looking to be exempt from the requirement to self-quarantine by obtaining a negative COVID-19 test, but I am unable to get tested in the state that I am traveling from. What can I do? Answer: A traveler who is required to quarantine may be released from the obligation to continue quarantining upon obtaining proof of a COVID-19 negative test, which was administered after the person’s arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers are required to quarantine immediately upon arrival in Massachusetts but may temporarily break quarantine to receive testing.  Travelers must arrange for the test at their own expense and then are required to immediately continue quarantining until receiving a negative test result or the 14 days is complete. 

Question: After completing the Travel Form, do I need to keep a copy of my submission on-hand? Answer: You should keep the documentation with you.  If you obtained a negative COVID-19 test result to be exempt from the self-quarantine requirement you should be prepared to produce those results upon request.

Question: What are some lower risk activities I can do for Thanksgiving? Answer: Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household. Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others. Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family. Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday. Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home.

Question: Can family members come and visit from out of state? What if they only stay for a few hours? Answer:  Unless they are coming from a low risk state, then all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, must complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, quarantine for 14 days, or produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. If COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day. With proper planning ahead of time it is possible to do, but we strongly encourage doing a remote dinner online with anyone who does not live in the same house as you.

Question: What if my college student is coming home for break? Answer: If they are coming from a non-lower risk state, then they must either quarantine for 14 days in a separate room, or produce a negative PCR test that has been administered within 72 hours of arrival.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order