7/24/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

/

On July 24th, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, Hospitalizations, and a New travel Order Effective August 1st.

Here is the summary.

Testing

  • Yesterday, MA faced challenges in providing the public health dashboard, due to the new federal recording requirements that just went into effect. The administration is working non-stop to resolve any data accuracy and integrity issues that may have occurred as a result.  

  • Yesterday, there were 270 new positive cases reported. 

    • The seven day average for positive case rates is about 1.8%.

  • Please continue to wear face coverings, practice good handwashing/hygiene, disinfect surfaces, and social distance. 

Hospitalizations

  • As of yesterday, there are currently just over 351 individuals hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, and 59 of those individuals are in the ICU. 

  • Please do not hesitate to contact your health care provider about any concerns you may have, COVID-19 related or not. Telehealth is currently a covered benefit in MA that will be extended to cover all residents until at least the end of the calendar year.

New Travel Order Effective August 1st

  • Today, Governor Baker signed an executive order to implement new travel rules that will be effective on August 1st for all visitors and residents entering the Commonwealth.

    • Effective August 1st, the new order is mandatory for all travelers entering MA, both out of state travelers and MA residents returning home. This also includes students returning to school for the fall semester. Unless you are traveling from a low-risk COVID state or meet a narrow exemption, you will be asked to fill out the MA Travelers Form and instructed to quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative test result. 

      • Starting today and based on the current public health data, the lower risk states include New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Hawaii. 

        • To be included as a lower risk state, the state must meet two criteria: the average daily cases per 100,000 residents must be below 6 per 100,000 and the positive test rate must be below 5%.

        • This list may be updated as public health data changes.

      • Those who do not comply with the new travel order are subject to a $500/day fine.

      • Signs and electronic messages about the new travel order will be going up at Logan Airport and other airports, South Station and other train stations, and at the South Station bus terminal beginning today and over the next week.

      • For more information when you arrive in Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov/matraveler or text ‘matraveler’ to 888-777. The website will make it clear how the rules apply to each individual.