14-day quarantine urged for GB second homeowners and renters coming from high-risk COVID-19 regions

Great Barrington — The town is urging a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone from a high-risk COVID-19 region who is temporarily relocating to a Great Barrington second-home or short-term rental in order to isolate from the virus, Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said in a statement issued this afternoon.

“We​’​​re​ concerned for the health of all of our town residents, whether they live here full-time, on weekends or for the summer,” said Pruhenski, who also served as the town’s health agent for almost 10 years. “We also know this virus travels. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our town, we ask anyone relocating to Great Barrington to please observe a 14-day self quarantine period.”

Pruhenski also encouraged anyone relocating here to visit the townofgb.org website to review town restrictions and policies regarding COVID-19.

“And please take advantage of the many restaurants ​​that are working hard to provide take-out and delivery services,” he said. “​Our stores are open also, so if you are in your home for 14 days, you can still eat great food.”

Yesterday, the Trump administration advised people who have passed through or left New York City that they should place themselves in a 14-day quarantine. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday issued an executive order mandating a 14-day self-quarantine or isolation period for travelers coming to Florida from airports in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In Berkshire County many towns have a high percentage of homes occupied by part-time residents who live full-time in  the New York and Boston areas. According to the assessor’s office, Great Barrington’s percentage of second homeowners was roughly 18 percent as of 2018.