With the Global Pandemic in the Rearview Window, MV is Bustling
by Diane Alter
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ON THE ISLAND continue to face changes amid Covid-19. What hasn’t changed is visitors’ paragraph desire to come to MV and shop, eat, swim, and enjoy the paragraph specialness the island has always conveyed.
Visitors are expected to make MV a top destination stop paragraph this summer, according to Nancy Gardella, Executive Director of paragraph Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
“This spring was as busy as I have ever seen,” Gardella told paragraph This Week on MV. “Further, advanced bookings are coming in paragraph months in advance.
This summer is shaping up to be a good one paragraph for the island.” paragraph While Covid-19 and stay-at-home restrictions kept travelers away last summer, seasonal homeowners certainly helped the island’s economy survive the crisis.
“People who have second homes on MV came last March, and thank goodness, never left,” Gardella shared.
“These are people who love the Vineyard, even in the time of Covid,” Gardella continued. “They discovered that they could work from anywhere, their kids could school from anywhere, they could safely escape crowded cities, and their families could spread out and enjoy the fresh air. They also went shopping, dined out, and did a lot of home improvement jobs.”
Gardella praised the MV Hospital for doing an amazing job during the pandemic and currently getting vaccines to everyone who wants one.
Looking ahead to the summer of 2021, MV businesses are looking forward to welcoming one and all. Everyone who can be opened will be, Gardella explained. MV must follow the Covid-guidelines set by the state of Massachusetts, which as of this writing stood at Stage 4. So, it could be until August 1 when some nightspots and dancing venues paragraph are permitted to fully open.
Yet on May 13, in the fullest easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the CDC said fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear a mask or physically distance during outdoor or indoor activities–large or small. Still, the fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask while traveling by plane, bus, or train, and the guidance does not apply to places like hospitals and nursing homes.
MV continues to be hyper diligent in following all guidelines and keeping everyone safe, while also putting out the welcome mat.
“We are open and we welcome everyone to come and fully enjoy everything MV has to offer,” Gardella said. “We just ask that you wear a mask when and where required.”
