Crime & Safety
Travel Ban Ends at 4 P.M., Dukes County Official Says
Roads have already been opened on Nantucket and the mainland west of Interstate 91, while the governor's emergency travel ban remains in effect for the rest of Massachusetts until 4 p.m., according to Chuck Cotnoir of Dukes County Emergency Managem
Martha's Vineyard motorists may legally drive at 4 p.m. Saturday, said Chuck Cotnoir of Dukes County Emergency Management.
Roads have already been opened on Nantucket and the mainland west of Interstate 91, while the travel ban remains in effect for the rest of Massachusetts until 4 p.m., Cotnoir said.
In an emailed bulletin, Cotnoir advised:
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All motorists MUST be off the roads except for public safety and public works workers, government officials conducting official business, utility workers, healthcare workers who must travel to provide essential, news media.
Travel also is allowed if necessary to maintain and deliver critical private sector services such as energy, fuel supplies and delivery, financial systems and the delivery of critical commodities, or to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations, food stores and hardware stores.
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Motorists must use their best judgment in determining if travel is permitted under an exception to the ban.
Law enforcement is being asked to interpret the exceptions broadly; the objective is to limit traffic as much as possible while allowing critical public and private sector services and functions to use the roads as necessary.
Do not call 9-1-1 about the travel ban, phone lines are needed for emergency calls.
The ban was imposed by Governor Deval Patrick Friday, going into effect at 4 p.m. after the governor declared a state of emergency at noon.
The Steamship Authority suspended ferry service to the Islands after the 2:30 boat from Woods Hole Friday afternoon. According to the Authority's website,
service will resume as soon as wind and sea conditions improve.
The Chappaquiddick ferry was back in service Saturday, according to a post on the Chappy Ferry facebook page.
The Tisbury shelter will remain open overnight Saturday, Cotnoir said.
Related coverage:
- UPDATE: When is the Travel Ban Ending?
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- LIVE CHAT: Blizzard of 2013
- Scattered Outages on the Vineyard
- What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?
- SHOW US: Blizzard Outside My Window
- Share Your Photos: How Much Snow Do You Have?
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