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Mass. Travel Ban To Be Lifted At Midnight

FRAMINGHAM (CBS) – The statewide travel ban in Massachusetts will be lifted at midnight.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced the ban Monday night ahead of the historic blizzard that hit Massachusetts.

Check: Travel Conditions

Baker lifted part of the travel ban Tuesday afternoon. At a press conference from the MEMA bunker at noon, Baker announced that travel was allowed to resume in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire Counties, except for the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The ban remains in place in the eastern part of the state until midnight, where snow totals have topped two feet and drifts have reached six feet in some places.

Baker said the state was "dealing with two storms," noting that conditions are significantly worse from Worcester County out to the east, where roads are still being plowed.

The MBTA will remain closed Tuesday night because stations need to be shoveled out and tracks need to be cleared. The MBTA hopes to operate on a normal schedule Wednesday morning.

State Police Superintendent Tim Alben said no one was arrested for violating the travel ban, but several drivers were cited and will have to appear in court.

Here are the exceptions to the travel ban:

  • Essential emergency response professionals
  • Medical, healthcare and human service workers, including shelter personnel
  • Essential public transit and support workers
  • Public and private personnel supporting public works and utility operations
  • Essential state employees
  • Those traveling for essential medical procedures
  • Vehicles and personnel delivering essential supplies to healthcare facilities.
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