As New Yorkers flee the city for Berkshire County, some towns are preparing for a new threat of COVID-19 transmission.
On Tuesday, New York City residents were urged by the White House coronavirus response coordinator to self-isolate as the city’s cases of coronavirus spike. The Berkshires – a longtime retreat for urbanites – is girding for an influx of potentially dangerous part-time residents.
“While we still welcome our second home owners, we’re sending out a request – basically a plea – that they self-quarantine immediately upon arrival at least for 14 days," said Great Barrington, Massachusetts Town Manager Mark Pruhenski.
Pruhenski says the town does not have to resources to actually enforce the request. There are around 425 second homes in Great Barrington, a town of around 7,000.