Travel Advisory Update

Good Morning MERSD Community, 

We are writing to update you on the recent announcement made by the Baker-Polito Administration regarding changes to the travel order.  Effective Monday, March 22, the Massachusetts Travel Order will be replaced with a Travel Advisory.   While there is no longer a fine for not adhering to the advisory, the recommendations for safe out-of-state travel remain the same with the exception of trips less than 24hours in duration. 

Due to our mitigation efforts, we have had great success in preventing in-school transmission and continued vigilance is critical to a successful shift to in-person learning.  In order to keep our schools safe for students and faculty and avoid potential shifts back to remote learning due to in-school transmission, we ask that all members of the MERSD Community continue to adhere to the advisory guidelines. 

As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. 

• Travelers are exempt from this advisory if they have a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts.  If not obtained before entry to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival, as long as travelers quarantine until a negative test result has been received.
• Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours is exempt
  from this advisory.
• Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) are exempt from this advisory while they are commuting to or from or while at work.
• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms are exempt from this advisory.
• Travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

If you need assistance in interpreting the guidance, please reach out to our nursing team.  They are well versed in the regulations and a great resource if you have any COVID related questions.

• Memorial School: Joanne Seaman - seamanj@mersd.org
• Essex Elementary: Donna Smith - smithd@mersd.org
• Middle High School: Cyndi Aldrich - aldrichc@mersd.org

Thank you for your continued cooperation and vigilance.  

 

Sincerely,

Cyndi Aldrich, Joanne Seaman & Donna Smith

MERSD Nursing Team

Pamela Beaudoin
Superintendent