Here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions for visitors and part-time residents about travel and testing during the coronavirus emergency. It will be updated as new information becomes available. If you have a question that you would like answered, email news@mvgazette.com and we will try to answer it in this column.
Current information on restaurants and other businesses that are operating can be found in What's Open, What's Closed on Martha's Vineyard.
What are the rules for people arriving from out of state?
Anyone arriving in Massachusetts is required to fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a state determined to be lower risk or can produce proof of a negative Covid-19 test administered not more than 72 hours before arrival. As of Dec. 9, only Hawaii was considered lower risk. Anyone failing to comply is subject to a fine of up to $500 a day.
Are ferries running normally?
Steamship Authority ferries are running daily from early morning to late evening. For up-to-date schedules, visit steamshipauthority.com/schedules. Patriot Party Boats runs a year-round passenger and small freight shuttle between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs, and offers after-hours water taxi service (https://www.patriotpartyboats.com/water-shuttle/).
Where can I stay?
Hotels, inns and lodging services like Airbnb are open and allowed to operate with strict cleaning requirements in place. They are also required to inform guests at the time of reservation and at the time of check in of the 14-day quarantine requirement and travel form for most out-of-state travelers. Minimum periods of separation between rentals are also required for lodging services.
Will I be welcome when I get to the Island?
Yes, as long as you join the Island community in observing state and local guidelines, including wearing masks in public, social distancing at all times and keeping dogs on leashes. Effective Nov. 6, everyone in Massachusetts is required to wear a face covering in public, even when they are six feet or more from another person. An advisory from Gov. Charlie Baker effective Nov. 6 also limits the size of gatherings and asks people to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Are restaurants open?
Many Island restaurants are open for carry-out and outdoor dining, with a smaller number offering limited indoor dining with strict social distancing. A few offer home delivery. Some seasonal restaurants have closed or have limited their hours. Our feature, What’s Open and What’s Closed on Martha’s Vineyard, is updated daily.
What about grocery stores, shops and farm stands?
All the Island grocery stores are open except for Up-Island Cronig’s. Face coverings are required for all market attendees. Many Island farmstands are open with different rules for ordering and pickup. Pharmacies and most retail stores are also open.
Are buses and taxis operating?
Vineyard Transit Authority buses run seven days a week. The VTA sanitizes its buses daily and has hand sanitizer stations aboard each vehicle. Schedules are posted at www.vineyardtransit.com/bus-route-schedules.
Taxi services also are operating. Masks are required on all bus, taxi and share rides such as Lyft and Uber.
Are public restrooms available?
Yes, there are public restrooms in each of the Island towns. The Steamship Authority bathrooms are available year-round.
Are Island trails open for hiking?
Properties managed by the Land Bank, Sheriff’s Meadow and the Trustees of Reservation are all open for hiking. Hikers must follow posted rules and stay at least six feet from others. Dogs must be leashed. Some deer hunting is permitted through December, so woodland walkers should be aware, stick to main trails and wear brightly colored clothing, especially in the early morning and near dusk.
What about going to the beach?
Massachusetts beaches are open with restrictions including at least 12 feet between groups. Masks are required while entering and exiting beaches.
What other activities have been affected by the pandemic?
Golf courses and tennis courts are open, with social distancing required. Charter fishing is permitted, but there are limits on the number of people on boats. Houses of worship are open, although most are still holding services online. Two movie theaters are open, with strict capacity limits and mask requirements. Hair salons, nail services and pet groomers are open, again with restrictions. Island library buildings remain closed, but are offering contact-less pickup of books and other materials.
I understand there is testing available for Covid-19 on the Island?
Yes, thanks to a partnership among Quest Diagnostics, Island Health Care and the Island boards of health, TestMV is offering self-administered drive-through screening for people without symptoms at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School by appointment to any resident or visitor to the Island. More information on the program is available here. To schedule a test, call 877-336-9855.
Does the test cost money?
No. Most insurance providers are required to fully cover the cost of the test. For those without insurance, funding is available thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Bank to ensure that anyone who wants a test can receive one without payment.
What happens if I test positive?
Patients who test positive will be contacted by a contact tracer or their local board of health via telephone. The contact tracer will guide the patient through a series of questions, hoping to identify close contacts. Positive patients will be required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days, or until released from monitoring by public health officials. During this period, positive patients cannot go to public spaces, including the grocery store, and patients are only allowed to leave isolation to seek medical attention. Resources are in place through volunteer groups and Island Health Care to help provide essential services for people who need to isolate, including grocery shopping and food delivery.
What should I do if I show symptoms of Covid-19?
If you experience symptoms of Covid-19 and don’t have a primary care physician on Island, call the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital's call center at 508-684-4500, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The hospital is testing symptomatic patients and their close-contacts for the virus.
Thank you for posting that information. It is most helpful. We frankly don’t think that the suggested 14 day self quarantine the governor’s suggesting makes any sense. When we arrive, we need to get groceries, and that cannot wait 14 days.
It makes perfect sense because this deadly virus has a 14 day incubation period.
It is a guideline not a law. You are free to come here and enjoy your second home. You may dismiss the guideline. It is your right. But, you might ask yourself if coming to an island you probably profess to love is being thoughtful and considerate of others. There are 25 hospital beds and three ventilators. The whole country is reopening and it may all just have been a bad dream, and the threat is gone. But maybe not. Are you infected? Probably not. Are all the people who think this way infected? Definitely not all of you. But are a few of you? Math says yes. Bring it here. Take up a few beds in the hospital. As a taxpayer you will proclaim your constitutional right to come. Nobody will argue that. But please don’t kill off our elderly and immune compromised. Please don’t destroy the lives of our first responders and especially hospital staff. So you can do your vineyard thing. Be thoughtful, think of others less fortunate than you, and sacrifice for them. That probably read like a joke to you. But this isn’t the Hamptons.
You are the exact reason why I hesitate to head to MV. I quarantined for ten — yes, TEN — weeks in my home because it was unbelievably bad where I live. The danger has passed here and I am healthy. You are more of a danger to me than I am to you. Yet there you are, sanctimonious and ready to judge anyone with out of state plates.
I disagree that “the danger has passed” and if you are from an area that was unbelievably bad I disagree that we are a greater threat to you, than you to us.
Oh, Roger. We’ve always delighted in your sense of humor. Surely you have a cooler or two laying about. Put some ice packs in there, toss in your frozen packs of sous vide bourguignon and kale shake pellets. Bring some beans, rice and durable winter vegetables. Seems pretty manageable.
These are difficult times for all. Please don’t forget that you can bring groceries and stay at your home up here to wait out a quarantine rather easily…but if people aren’t as sensible as I hope you will be than community spread shortly become a reality and medical helicopters with fully trained staff are amazingly in shorter supply than a cooler and some well thought out dry goods.
This was the sweetest most direct response that could have been delivered to sender.
Love the writing and candid humor!!
You could bring groceries with you. A cooler with ice packs will keep things that need refrigeration cold for several hours.
As you mention it is suggested and by no means required. Islanders go off island every day and return to the island without self quarantining.
Valid point that everyone seems to gloss over because it doesn’t fit the blame the off islanders narrative.
Exactly. I’m here but it’s a double standard what locals are doing on/off island vs expecting of visitors.
Come and relax. Do your grocery shopping….just use precautions and follow the rules.
Is there evidence that a lot of Vineyarders are going out of state, and coming back, and not self quarantining? Do Vineyarders go off island and stay there for a week or the summer? Or do we then return to our own homes and our small hospital? How many Vineyarders are making joy trips during a pandemic? I’m pretty sure our off island day trips have been pretty seriously curtailed. The boats reduced their schedules dramatically. The evidence is that Vineyarders largely stopped traveling, and seeing as how we go days between positive tests at the hospital the evidence is that we’re doing a much better job than the rest of the state at social distancing even though it is a huge sacrifice for our economy.
Get groceries before you come.
You bring what’s needed like other people have done. Use coolers and bring your food. Please respect our rules here on Martha’s Vineyard, we have had low case numbers because we have worked incredibly hard to keep them that way. I understand that it certainly is an inconvenience, but for this summer season it is what needs to happen. Remember a vacation is a want not a need. Safe travels
Isn’t the island tourist dependent? If so mass guidelines of face coverings for everyone should help with the spread of germs… remember the stay home was about lessening the impact on our hospitals not stopping the spread of the virus that won’t happen til there a vaccine.. good luck staying home til then…
Jamie-thank you for your thoughtful reply. You wrote everything that was needed. I’ve been coming to MV for 20 years and always enjoyed the hospitality of the island. Out of respect for MV, I will wear a mask and maintain social distancing. I live in NYC and know what following these health guidelines mean.
It does make sense. You must order your groceries or have someone shop for you for the first 2 weeks. I think that we all have to respect one another.
Learn the rules, there is no “must” in this scenario. There is no quarantine requirement. The governor has “urged” people entering Massachusetts from outside Massachusetts to do this for 14 days, but you can come from Boston or elsewhere in the State and act exactly like you would if you lived on the Island. People from MV go off island all the time, they don’t return with two weeks of groceries.
Vineyard Grocer will deliver your groceries while you are in self quarantine, thank you
https://www.vineyardgrocer.com/order
There are many delivery services available including groceries. The measures that have been taken by the local governments are to protect the public, are reasonable considering the circumstances and are backed by a majority of the residents on Island. I hope you take that into consideration.
Bring your own groceries from off island. This seems obvious to me. Why endanger anyone else?
Some of us travel without bringing a car since we have an Island vehicle that stays on Island yr. round .. But have shipped many “supplies” vs buying them locally. Not to endanger anyone..
This is huge dilemma for a vacation renter. I do not want to take a chance on getting the virus, nor give it to someone if I am asymptomatic. I am over 62 and traveling through many states to arrive on MV – gas stations, over night lodging, ferry, rest stops. I will only be on the Vineyard for 9 days. Quarantining in a rental home for the entire time is not a vacation. I have paid thousands of dollars ($6000+) for the house rental and will not be refunded the money unless I opt to give up the rental time and hope that someone else rents it. And, then only receiving a percentage back. The rental company says, “Many summer vacationers are going to come to the Vineyard and are already arriving.” In other words, we are open for business so there is no recourse. The rental companies need to provide a refund, if people want to opt out of the lease. These are unprecedented times. Sorry if owners are losing money to this situation, but I think many (including me) would welcome the option to put that money towards the summer of 2021 rental in that house. Thank you!
We are a MA family who are looking to make MA our vacation destination this summer. We had summered in MV last summer, but had initially planned a trip overseas for this summer. Instead, we are researching how we can at this late date rent a house for two weeks or more in MV again, presumably if we can arrange reasonable car ferry and house rental logistics. Maybe the MV visitors bureau and Rental agents can help out out of state renters, VINYARDERS and MA Residents by publishing a list of available rentals if you are now considering changing your plans. It takes significant coordination, but it is a potential win-win or at least next best option for perhaps everyone…
Agree! We are in the situation of having both a one-week rental and a paid-in-advance hotel reservation. If we do not come, we lose all of those funds. If we come, we are expected to quarantine. The real estate company is urging renters to come. The hotel is not yet reopened. Neither are providing us with options. It would easy for us to delay until 2021 if given the option. Perhaps the accommodations costs could be shared instead of a burden for either renter or leasor.
I agree. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Anne makes a good point. If year-round residents and their political representatives want to reduce the number of short-term summer visitors, they need to pressure landlords to provide refunds for people like Anne or roll their payments over until 2021. It seems greedy to complain about people coming and then keeping their money if they follow your wishes. Where is the incentive?
North Tisbury Market has an online ordering service. Vineyard Groceries delivers. As does the Larder. There are great options for not having to appear at the market — those are the safest if you wish.
Vineyard Grocer offers delivery of groceries. Some care takers and others also offer to do your grocery shopping if you pay them their hourly rate. Check around. Farm stands, fish markets, Conroys, and many other businesses already have a lot of products that you can order ahead and pick up curbside. It’s easier than you think to self-isolate to be safe.
Bring your own groceries so you don’t need to go out as much. Have some respect for the native population. This isnt the end of the world.
Is Stop & Shop limiting the number of people shopping at one time? Are there senior hours?
Stop & Shop is open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily for people 60 and over. For updated information about businesses and their hours, see our feature What’s Open, What’s Closed on Martha’s Vineyard (vineyardgazette.com/coronavirus/whats-open-whats-closed-on-marthas-vineyard).
biking is allowed “with consideration for traffic,” — seems vague. And the question is important on the narrow island roads where there is no bike path —
Bikes have full legal authority to ride on state roads, and motorists must show due consideration: “If the lane is too narrow to pass safely, the motorist must use another lane to pass, or, if that is also unsafe, the motorist must wait until it is safe to pass.” (see MGL Chapter 89, Section 2 and Chapter 90, Section 14, source massbike.org)
I will clarify. “Consideration for traffic” means that if a biker is holding up a line of traffic, pull over and let the cars pass. Common courtesy. Thank you.
Thanks for pointing this out. It never ceases to disappoint that so few people seem to understand that when they see a cyclist on the road, that person has exactly the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as someone in a car or truck. No, you do not have to ride on a bike path even if there is one parallel to the road. The only exception are limited access highways with posted restrictions, which of course we don’t have on the island. Over the years I have had countless experiences of people yelling at me out of the car windows. I pay the same taxes and have the same right to the road. I follow the traffic laws. If you have ever ridden in Europe in a country such as France or Italy, the drivers are almost without exception careful and considerate of cyclists. The same culture needs to be reinforced here, not “show due consideration” which implies a less than equal status.
On the insolvable debate over tourists and seasonal visitors, we have a sharply focused version of the national debate over the tension between public health and economic activity. There is no way around the statistical reality that quadrupling or quintupling the island population with people from parts of the country with higher infection rates will add dramatically to the risk for the people here. Is it worth it? “Where you stand depends upon where you sit.”
Re rights of bicycle riders: Second that.
People here go on and on about showing consideration, follow our rules, don’t endanger other people.
There are very clear rules of the road.
While you are on your obey the rules soapbox, remember to respect the rules of the road and do not endanger others. That means: Respect bikers’ rights to the road.
Roger –
Frankly I feel that it is thinking like your own that is nonsensical and that may continue the spread of this virus.
There are many alternative options to obtain groceries while also maintainOh safe, self quarantine
1- bring your own supplies with you. It’s 2 weeks. It’s not that hard
2- hire someone to shop here for you
3- take advantage of establishments that allow order in advance option – non contact pick up options
Please, please stay out of the grocery store
So what if you only rented for one week? I planned this family vacation for 13 of us. Now there will be no restaurants that will take a large group and what about the beach. I want to change it to 2021, but the owner says can’t do that. So I’m stuck paying a fortune to switch houses for a week.
Sometimes things happen and we can’t change them. We as humans become so self absorbed and selfish, that we come to expect things to be a certain way, and if they are not, we see it as a huge inconvenience. While I am sorry that your vacation will not be what you or other members of your family anticipated, this is an opportunity to make the best of it during these strange times. Nothing we do or say right now will change what we face right now. When you booked your vacation you had no idea, nor did anyone for that matter, of the situation that would present itself. To use a nautical term “Ship Happens”
This is why the island towns need to prohibit short term rentals of less than two weeks. Then renters have a right to demand a full refund. If people keep abusing social distancing and mask wearing we won’t make it to phase 2 anyway. In Phase I no short term rentals for leisure purpose allowed.
Are you going to ban day travelers as well? And you apparently want to put the Island’s numerous Inns and Hotels all out of business, since no one stays at an Inn for two weeks.
I agree 100%. Stop rentals of less than 2 weeks. It’s not fair that we have kept our numbers low and now all of a sudden we have an influx of people with no symptoms of Covid but are carriers and don’t know it. Good luck, but I hope that mask wearing and social distancing is enforced… by law enforcement. Give them something to do.
We rent for a week as well. Always have because of our schedules. At the end of July. We make full use of the well appointed kitchen and cook two meals a day. We walk every where and just enjoy the scenery and each other.
There is always a risk that a vacation will be canceled for any number of reasons, and that’s something you have to accept when making that commitment and paying the money. This is one of those extremely rare situations where no one wins. We’ve been quarantining to keep our community safe, and following the guidelines of our governor. If you do decide to bring your large party here (at this time you are not legally allowed to be gathering in groups of over 10 mind you or even renting a home), then I hope you follow the guidelines as we have been. Including bringing your own provisions, cleaning supplies and PPE. We are extremely limited here, and become more so by the day.
How can it be a situation where no one wins, if the entire burden falls on the renter? The homeowner, realty company and the renter should share the burden. Partial refunds (of at least half) should be standard if they won’t just roll the dates over to 2021. Wouldn’t that be the most fair?
I have a home in Edgartown which I enjoy for many weeks during the summer and which I have rented for several weeks for the past 4 years. I learned about a month or so ago that MA is prohibiting short term rentals during the crisis. Owners are restricted from honoring rentals even for bookings made before the COVID crisis so I am puzzled that owners are not allowing renters to get out of their bookings without cost or question. Renters should research their rights to make sure they are not being taken advantage of. Any reputable homeowner/renter should understand the current situation and not try to take advantage of potential renters. We are all in this together and should not be putting such pressure on people, especially if government regulations prohibit such rentals!!!!
Great photo by Tim Johnson and perfect placement at the head of this article.
As Dr. Fauci just recently said “it’s time to open up responsibly.” No need to have off-islanders feel unwelcome! Our businesses need the revenue and we need to try to get back to some type of normal! This virus is not going away! We may never see a vaccine. We can’t stay hunkered down inside forever! Enjoy the island using good judgement!
Folks, we need to be realistic about this 14 day quarantine. We soon will have day trippers coming to the island. Perhaps not as many as before, but enough. They will be walking around and going into shops and restaurants that are open. They will NOT be
In quarantine for 14 days
What about people from MA coming to the island? According to our state laws, they don’t need to self quarantine. Are MA residents welcome but not out of staters? I have an idea, how about islanders stay on island and don’t leave. Maybe the island needs to become fully self sufficient? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
Where do you think all of our supplies come from? By plane or trucks, from people that don’t necessarily live in MA. Are they welcome to come in & deliver your supplies or do they need to self quarantine for 14 days first?
How about the islanders that were Covid positive that we sent off island? Maybe they should have stayed? That’s putting a risk on the non-island population. Oh but, the Boston Hospitals were more than welcoming for these people in need.
Many islanders have lived for years off the money of our island visitors and now these people are not welcome? When island businesses start disappearing and people on island are going hungry, then maybe you might be a bit more welcoming.
If people are following the social distance, face masks and not going out in public if they have symptoms guidelines, the same as all of us islanders, then what is the problem? Unless you feel these guidelines are preposterous and don’t work?
Not all islanders share this negative and unwelcoming attitude towards people coming from off island. I have many neighbors here from out of state right now. Do you other islanders now not welcome your out of state neighbors? No more cook outs with the Smiths from NY? Have you shared such negative sentiments to their faces? So much for the island unity and loving your neighbors? I welcome all to the island who are following the CDC guidelines and are being safe.
Thank you for being considerate and welcoming to us. I have been coming to MV since I was born, 54 years. My Grandparents owned the house which is now their Grandchildren’s. I plan on making this my 55th year. This is normally my only vacation I get for the year and I enjoy spending it my childhood summer home with my children. I have been working through this whole horrible ordeal and have used every precaution there is – and I’m healthy and unscathed by this horrible virus. I intend to continue to use my various masks, hand sanitizers and continue to practice social distancing as a considerate person would. But again, thank you for not being judgmental of me because I’m from out of state or drive a car with out of state plates.
I would say the biggest difference between people on Island practicing social distancing and visitors from off island practicing social distancing while here is that the visitors are coming from areas that have community spread of the virus and asymptomatic people can introduce it to the island population without realizing it. It’s not personal, it’s just science and health policy. As far as some obligation of the Island community to disregard health policy because people like to come here and spend their money is nonsense.
Coronavirus is on the Vineyard already. I am careful and wear a mask to protect myself from others and to protect others from me.
Islanders are others too.
Finally, the voice of reason..
Great comment! The only reason I don’t use my name is I still have family there. When the going gets tough people show their true colors. I probably wouldn’t be welcome. Oh well
I love the civility in this debate. I’m from Ireland, I currently live in New Jersey and this is the most refreshingly civil debate I’ve seen online about COVID-19 since I don’t know how long. I’d feel so much safer on MV than on the knucklehead Jersey Shore right now. Stay safe, keep your distance and enjoy the wonderfully special place you get to live in/visit this summer.
My wife and I are in a similar situation as we think about whether we will be able to come to the Vineyard this summer. I have been a seasonal resident every year since June 1957 and it is our favorite place on earth. We appreciate Roger’s ‘frustration’ but we do not share it given these circumstances and the Vineyard’s already overtaxed infrastructure (as others have noted above). As the saying goes, “there is no ‘I’ in team” and now more than ever ‘we’ need to remember we are a team. We know the Vineyard and our many friends and family members who call it home on a year round basis will welcome us with the same love and warmth we have always known when health and safety permit.
Thank you. I live here year ‘round and have one of these essential service jobs, for which I am extremely grateful. I wouldn’t challenge anybody who felt the need to come here during this horrible time. Who am I to judge? But I do want to sincerely thank you for deciding that as much as this Island is precious to you, as badly as you would like to be here, those that live here without other options, and those that just had to come, matter more. It is a selfless response and I for one appreciate it. There are only so many hospital beds (25) and so many ventilators (3) and the helicopters cant always fly. You are a true Islander. Even if you aren’t here in February 🙂
Roger, I’ll shop for you. I am sure others will too. Please stay home for 14 days.
I’m scheduled for two weeks in late August and being over 60 with pre-existing conditions I don’t want to chance becoming ill nor do I want to endanger my three grandchildren (all under 7) but I seem to have problems cancelling and obtaining a refund.
We recently had our deposit returned from our landlord. Won’t be coming to the Vineyard this summer, which makes us incredibly sad, but absolutely understandable. We live in an area that has had extremely low numbers, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t be asymptomatic and bring it down there. Our rental was only for a week, so the 14 day quarantine wouldn’t work for us. We had planned to bring plenty of masks, and tend to self isolate when we’re there anyway. Visitor or not, we need to be respectful of one another and wear a face covering. We’re doing it for each other, not for ourselves! Hope to be back next summer!
I do not understand many of my friends with their fixation on out of state cars! Comments such as “there were so many NY and CT license plates in town the other day.” Massachusetts has one of the highest infection rates in the country. Does anyone think that people from other parts of MA are not coming here? Well, they are, and they will not have out of state plates. But, they may well have the virus.
Please people, be reasonable.
It is disappointing to hear that people renting out their houses are not allowing renters to cancel. That is not very nice. We rent our house out for much of the summer and have allowed our renters to cancel without an issue (Airbnb is refunding any fees paid by either party). People should not be penalized for worrying about their own health or the health of others in this unprecedented crisis.
Yes, it is disappointing and not consistent. My sister who was planning to come from Texas did not want to put island at risk lost her $2,000 deposit. Another sister from Virginia got hers returned in full. Both were coming for one week.We all understand how complicated the issue is, and while I’ll miss seeing them this year, both will be back.(Though my Texas sister will find a new landlord.)
Well said Julie!
I’m on same boat as Albion. I’m not comfortable visiting but am having problems obtaining a refund.
KC – when is your rental for? Wish our realtor / landlord as accommodating.
We own a house on the island. It is not my primary residence. I visit the island year round, though. Whether it’s freezing and the winds are whipping or it’s sunny and pleasant or rainy and miserable, I have various reasons to be there throughout the year, every year and various reasons that I’m called away. I’ve been following all the rules with regard to COVID and will continue to do so. I’m not interested in getting sick anywhere (on or off the island) or spreading sickness, etc.
With that said, over the last several months I’ve come to learn just how hated I am by virtue of my out of state plates. 4 generations of my family have been coming to the island out of love for it. We contribute to the island financially and philanthropically, again, year round. We employ the services of island plumbers, electricians, vets, carpenters, trainers, decorators, landscapers, farmers, lawyers, engineers, physicians. We patronize island clothing stores, markets, fishermen, artists, babysitters, hairstylists, gas stations, kitchen supply shops, music teachers, hardware stores, on and on. Not until I began reading the comments online, did I really get a sense of how much you all hate me and the 4 generations of my family that have been involved with the island. This anti – islander mentality is nuts.
I understand that the island is very much tourist dependent. I wish it wasn’t, so that dealing with unexpected events such as this, wouldn’t impact the island as a whole, and we can still survive during off season.
That being said, the island population is comprised of many elderly people, as well as young kids. You come here from out of state bringing god knows what kinds of things, one of which most likely Corona. To all who deny that and say they don’t have it and they’re fine, you could be asymptomatic and not even know it.
You can go and say how you pay taxes, and do your part to keep things running on island, but news flash you’re not the only one.
Pretty much every monumental vineyard summer event is cancelled. Some stores and maybe a handful of restaurants will be open.
You can wear you masks and attempt at social distancing, but that’s not working. Cases on island are rising just within our small community. Imagine when you all cluster on the island… then what ?
One of the earliest cases was from a man from New York who went to buy a house. It’s that type of carelessness that will endanger us all.
I understand how rough it is for businesses and the locals to not have a normal summer, but we must make sacrifices and take all measures necessary so that next summer things will be normal again.
If you summer people really truly respect the island, and consider it your second home, then treat it like it is. If you consider the locals here, who work their butts off just to make you guys happy and have a fantasy summer, like your second family, then make choices that will protect all of us.
Martha’s Vineyard is a special place, so do your part to keep it like that.
You choose to live on an island, and that comes with all sorts of risks. Even risks that you never imagined. Other people chose to buy a second home here. That comes with risks too. They can’t tell you to move someplace else, and you can’t tell them not to come and go as they please. The island is opening for business – you may not like that, but it’s a fact. As long as the island is open, people will be coming and some of them will likely have COVID. As long as the island is open, you have no place telling potential visitors that they have some illusory moral obligation to stay away. That’s like hanging a sign in the window that says “Open, please go away”. You are the only one responsible for your health, and by now you know what you need to do to lessen your chances of becoming infected.
Oh, people….locals who think off-islanders should just throw money across the water at them and stay away so locals can maintain their standard of living without the inconvenience of outsiders polluting their fair shores. 2nd homeowners huffing about “supporting you with my taxes and this is the thanks I get?” because some very wealthy ones have never been told that money can’t buy them what they want. This is human folly at its most absurd.
If the governor has requested a 14-day quarantine for all visitors to Massachusetts, then rental companies and hotels should provide credits to out-of-state renters or refunds in keeping with state policies since there is no point in traveling to the Vineyard and then quarantining for a week before heading home. I cannot find any coordinated effort among the hospitality industry on the Vineyard to better inform summer visitors or to come together and make some decisions. Furthermore, please bear in mind that even if someone has travel insurance, they cannot get a refund through most companies unless they have proof of cancellation.
I truly hope that the Vineyard develops some firm policies or that the governor steps in to be crystal clear. Who do you want to take the lead? Those of us from locations all over the mainland with varying ages, health levels, exposure levels, and comfort levels for risk-taking, making case-by-case decisions motivated by both getting away to the Vineyard for a treasured vacation as well as the potential loss of thousands of dollars that we have saved for years and years for just such a vacation? Or do you want to steer the ship yourselves through governing bodies or appointed committees?
I own my home but I have heard from friends that one and two week property rentals are not being refunded. It seems to me that encourages a lot of people to come to the Vineyard who made plans last year before the pandemic because they aren’t getting their money back. It seems like a bit of a double standard to “encourage” a two week quarantine but not be willing to refund the rent on a one or two week rental.
Thank you! Would you please share your thoughts with the property rental agencies. They need to practice an ethically sound response to families requesting a refund or transfer deposits to the 2021 season. People are scared to travel (especially older people) or with predisposed health issues. Some folks have financial hardships with surprised unemployment situations making the decisions even more crucial. And, honestly what vacationer is going to self-quarantine with a less that 14 day rental?
Yes, I think it’s a double standard, too — or at least not being on the same page. The governor wants a two-week quarantine, older adults are cautioned by federal officials to stay safe and take extra precautions, and realtors on Martha’s Vineyard are still encouraging people to come and are not offering refunds or a delay until 2021 or even sharing half the burden of the cost of cancellation. Does the island really want renters to defy the governor’s quarantine period? Should real estate companies and homeowners become the profiteers? Couldn’t the state help our just at New York state is helping out with small businesses?
We have a two week rental 6/28-7/12. The owner will not refund and will not let us change to next year. What are we supposed to do? Not come? Only if we are allowed to cancel. Otherwise we are probably going to come. We are practicing social distancing, wear masks and quarantined for 9 weeks. We are also in state. So we aren’t a huge risk. But with well over $5000 at stake, we will most likely see you on island.
What are we doing here? We can figure this out, kindly and thoughtfully, with some appropriate leadership.
If you come, of course use proper PPE, socially distance, and use curbside or delivery to support stores and restaurants. And enjoy all your favorite spots…. carefully and respectfully.
If you’re a resident, be welcoming, and help figure out how visitors, and their much needed financial resources, can be part of the Vineyard, safely. Everything may be different, but different doesn’t have to be bad. Maybe stores can rotate their wares at the site of the Ag Fair…. appropriately spaced. How about an outdoor drive in theater? So many possibilities…. put your passion to good use, coming up with solutions, rather than being angry.
We arrived on Memorial Day weekend to open the summer house. We weren’t sure we would open this year, out of consideration for ourselves and for the locals, but with a very old house that is not winterized, mold and critters often find their way inside and maintenance is required. When we saw published photos of three graduates on island jumping from the Jaws bridge, with a small crowd gathered, all without masks and none social distancing, we worried that (like everywhere else) not everyone was following the safety guidelines. So we packed groceries, masks, and gloves and have stayed inside except to walk secluded trails and beaches. We have not visited our friends who live here year round, just as we do not socialize at home during the pandemic. But we’ve seen people here gathered in large groups without masks. On the beach paths that say masks are required, there are people ignoring the requirement. Other times people seem unaware of why the mask is worn: sometimes people meet and greet each other, wearing masks, and then they take them off once they’re standing side by side. Other times people simply pull up their shirts to momentarily cover their mouths and noses. And this has been during a very quiet weekend: we worry that once the crowds increase, these lapses will become dangerous. We will be leaving in a few days, but we will continue to hope that people understand the seriousness of an outbreak so that this beloved island and its residents, as well as its visitors, can stay healthy and well.
Oh, my gosh, who would not want to come to the island seeing Tim Johnson’s wonderful photograph. The Gazette has fabulous photos. I really truly like them and thank you for publishing such grand photos.
I find it interesting that the article says visitors are welcome, but the locals commenting on the story are rude and unwelcoming.
in Early Feb before US pandemic we rented a house for one week early August through Air BNB for our small family. We are concerned about our health and have requested to cancel but are asked to deal directly with Air BNB and at this time we’re waiting still to hear if we can get a refund or postpone. it doesn’t look promising that we will get a refund. COVID is an international emergency and it’s better to be safe than sorry as much as we look forward to a wonderful well deserved vacation. The ferry ride poses risks. Occupying a rental house 4 ? hours after the previous party just left poses risks… I think having a mix of lots of travelers to the vineyard this summer is not wise.
We recently cancelled our short-term rental simply because it was obviously best for the safety of all concerned i.e. everybody. Our deposit was returned minus a small service charge. We have also cancelled two trips to Europe (April and September). AND like all the major presenters in NYC (Opera, Ballet, Philharmonic etc.) I will not produce any Classical Music concerts for the remainder of 2020.
Frankly it seems most prudent to me that a general and strict quarantine continues indefinitely through the U.S. until we all learn how to live safely with COVID-19. Perhaps this Fall things would change enough to allow us to get away from our farm for a visit to MV and the chance to walk quietly along the ocean. But I’m not counting on it.