Ed. Note: Updated with official statement from Block Island Express, which operates the ferry out of New London.
With Rhode Island suddenly and unexpectedly being put on a travel restriction list that says if you are planning on traveling to Connecticut, New York or New Jersey from Rhode Island, you must quarantine for 14 days upon return, Chamber of Commerce Director Cindy Lasser said the phones in her office have been ringing off the hook with people asking questions about the status of their reservations. The announcement was made on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
This directly impacts vacationers, said Lasser. If people come from one of those states to Block Island for their vacation, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days when they get back home, said Lasser. The other option is to provide proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test when they arrive. Real estate agents have also been reaching out their renters about these new travel restrictions.
“This is big,” said Lasser. “These are our people.”
Jessica Willi, Director of the Block Island Tourism Bureau, said that her phone was ringing, too, but noted an important distinction. “This is not Rhode Island government trying
