Governor Baker asks visitors to self-quarantine

BOSTON — All visitors arriving in Massachusetts are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days as the state tightens its efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday.

The Republican governor said travelers coming into Massachusetts through the state’s airports and by train will be given flyers instructing them about the quarantine.

Instructions will also be placed at highway rest stops and on electronic highway message boards.

Sky 25 captured the message “All travelers entering Massachusetts are urged to self-quarantine for 14 days” on highway boards soon after the governor’s announcement.

Baker said there is no enforcement mechanism at this point.

The announcement to visitors came hours before the state’s health commissioner announced she tested positive for the virus.

Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel announced Friday night that she tested positive for the virus. Bharel said she had been "vigilant" about practicing social distancing.

She said her symptoms are mild and she will rest at home while continuing to work.

Additionally, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said Friday that she has tested negative for COVID-19.

Pressley said she sought out a test after experiencing flu-like symptoms and coming into contact with a colleague who tested positive.

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The number of people in Massachusetts who have died from COVID-19 jumped by 10 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 35 since the start of the outbreak.

Two of the new deaths were men in their 60s. The remaining were men and women in their 80s and 90s.

Public health officials said the number of residents who have so far tested positive for the disease increased to more than 3,200.

More than 29,300 have been tested, and nearly 300 have been hospitalized.

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