Mass. travel restrictions could have impact on NH retailers, restaurants

By: Siobhan Lopez, WMUR

Restrictions are now in place for travel from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, with some exceptions.

Beginning Saturday, anyone who isn’t exempt and travels from New Hampshire to Massachusetts must quarantine for 14 days or get a negative COVID-19 test within three days of arriving in the Bay State. That’s something that could pose a problem for businesses, including restaurants on the border. 

“I think it really is going to make it a lot more challenging for Massachusetts’ regular customers to really be able to come across the border and enjoy a night out and then head home,” said Mike Somers, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. 

The biggest impact could be on holiday retail.

“I think that a lot of our neighbors in Massachusetts love to come to New Hampshire. Maybe they stay over, maybe they visit a couple of restaurants,” Somers said.

Click here to watch the full segment on WMUR.