Updated travel guidance in Massachusetts bodes well for business this summer on Cape Cod, where officials are observing pent-up demand for getaways.
During a conference call Thursday on reopening efforts, Cape officials said the peninsula draws the bulk of its summer visitors from Massachusetts, the five other New England states and New York and New Jersey.
Visitors from those states are no longer required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival here.
“It is good news that we are able to welcome people, that we are able to do so safely,” said Sen. Julian Cyr of Truro, noting the seven states share the trend of declining COVID-19 cases that Massachusetts has been experiencing.
Visitors from Florida and California, two states experiencing surges in COVID-19, account for about 2.9 percent of domestic visitors to the Cape, Cyr said.
Cape Cod residents and visitors, broadly speaking, are complying with COVID-19 guidance on face coverings, distancing and hygiene, with some exceptions, said Cyr, who cautioned against large gatherings over the Fourth of July weekend.
“We’re reminding the public that they need to take personal responsibility,” Cyr said.
Not following recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is “profoundly disrespectful to the working people of Cape Cod,” he said.
Transportation officials also said traffic volume continue to pick up on the two bridges people use to access the Cape. In June, volume was down about 15 percent compared to last year, compared to a 31 percent decline in May and a 47 percent reduction in volume in April on the Bourne and Sagamore bridges.
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