Bar Harbor, Maine, Fall Visitor’s Guide: COVID-19 | Geddy’s
There is nothing more spectacular than Autumn in Bar Harbor, Maine, a charming New England coastal town. During the fall, the air is crisp, and the leaves are vibrant. Sweater weather brings folks who want to experience the best of New England – viewing the brilliant colors of Acadia National Park and warming-up with a delicious bowl of New England clam chowder. For many, it is the perfect time of year to visit this popular vacation spot … and to enjoy everything the season has to offer!
As such, we thought it might be helpful to put together a Bar Harbor Fall Visitor’s Guide on what you need to know when visiting the area, during COVID. Also, the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce has a great piece on Frequently Asked Questions for planning your Bar Harbor visit.
1. COVID Requirements for Travelling to the State of Maine
- Testing or Quarantining – For out-of-state visitors, the State of Maine requires (1) a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to arrival, or (2) self-quarantining for 14 days. Exemptions include visitors from Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. UPDATE: On November 1st, Governor Mills announced that testing/quarantine exemptions would end on November 4th for travel to/from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. On November 13th, Governor Mills announced that Massachusetts would no longer be exempt from quarantine and testing effective Monday, November 16th. Presently, only New Hampshire and Vermont remain exempt from state requirements. Additionally, please note that tests are still not required for anyone under the age of 18 years.
- Definition of Quarantining – For “non-exempt” visitors without a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to arrival in Maine, self-quarantining is required for 14 days. In which, visitors need to abide by the state’s physical distancing guidelines and to avoid public areas, such as restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and crowded streets. During quarantine, it is permissible to take walks and scenic drives, hike, canoe, bike, and swim in uncrowded areas. Further, visitors can get takeout.
- Admissible COVID-19 Tests – Maine considers Molecular (i.e. PCR-based) and Antigen COVID tests to be acceptable. For additional information on testing, consult Maine’s updated CDC guide.
2. Bar Harbor Lodging – Safety Measures
Currently, non-exempt visitors must complete a “Certificate of Compliance” form at or prior to “check-in” for all lodging establishments – campgrounds, seasonal rentals, hotels, motels, inns, and Airbnbs. Of which, visitors attest to one of the following:
- Completed testing with negative results 72 hours prior to arrival in the state,
- Finished quarantining for 14 days in Maine, or
- Will be self-quarantining for 14 days with no current symptoms.
3. Dining and Shopping in Bar Harbor – Precautionary Protocols
Due to Coronavirus, Maine has implemented the following precautionary guidelines and requirements:
- Physical distancing of six feet. For restaurants, reservations are recommended, since many are currently operating at 50% of dine-in capacity.
- Limiting crowd size. For dining, when checking-in with a host/hostess, only one guest should enter the restaurant, until the table is available. UPDATE: On November 1st, Governor Mills announced that indoor gatherings will return to a maximum of 50 people (regardless of capacity), effective November 4th. The outdoor gathering limit will remain at 100, and retail capacity remains at 5 people per 1,000 square feet of shopping space. The start of indoor service in bars and tasting rooms is postponed until further notice.
- ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT: Initiating 9 pm closure. On November 19th, Governor Mills Administration announced that all outdoor and indoor restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues, will be required to close for the evening by 9:00 pm, effective Friday, November 20th, through, Sunday, December 6th.
- Requiring personal protective measures/equipment. Masks/facial coverings are necessary in crowded areas and public spaces, including shops, grocery store, post office and busy sidewalks. The town has set-up stations with free masks and hand sanitizers. For restaurants, guests must wear facial coverings when entering, exiting, and walking about the restaurant. However, guests are not required to wear masks at their table.
- Requiring restaurant contact tracing information. Dine-in guests must provide contact information for one person in their party.
- Recommending frequent hand washing or hand sanitizing, when washing is not feasible.
- Additional safety measures. Many Bar Harbor restaurants, like Geddy’s, have implemented increased frequency of cleaning, online reservation systems, contactless ordering and payment, virtual waitlists, takeout, and curbside pick-up.
4. Visiting Acadia National Park – Know Before You Go
- Acadia National Park Weekly Pass – There is a $30 park vehicle entrance fee, which is valid for seven days. Park visitors should print-out the pass and display it in their car.
- Vehicle Reservation Pass (NEW) – Additionally this fall, Acadia National Park (“Acadia”) implemented a pilot program to reduce park traffic and congestion. The program ran from October 1st – 18th, in which the park required vehicle reservations for Cadillac Summit Road, between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and Sand Beach Entrance, between 7 am to 5 pm. The Sand Beach Entrance is for Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Ocean Path, The Beehive, Great Head and Gorham Mountain. Park passes could only be purchased online at Recreation.gov for $2.00/per car (per venue) – not at the park. Visitors could have either printed-out the pass or used the QR code at the Acadia toll booths. The park is currently studying the results of this pilot program in preparation for a full season of operations in 2021. So, please check the status of the program before visiting Acadia National Park.
5. Additional Park Safety Measures
- Acadia National Park Visitor Centers – Park visitor centers are not open to the public. Park information is available at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. One visitor, at a time, can purchase a park vehicle pass (not vehicle reservation pass), between 9 am to 2 pm. Park rangers are available outside of the center to answer any questions between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
- Park Operations – Acadia National Park has limited operations with park roads, carriage roads and most hiking trails open.
- Campgrounds – All park campgrounds are closed.
- Island Explorer Shuttle Service – Bar Harbor’s Island Explorer free bus service for Acadia National Park and surrounding communities has been suspended this year, due to COVID.
- Acadia National Park Safety Protocols – The park rangers recommend that visitors adhere to the state’s physical distancing guidelines of six feet and strongly encourage mask wearing/facial coverings. Masks should be worn in crowded areas.
- Current Status of Park Facilities and Services – please reference attached.
6. In Conclusion …
Plan ahead, pack a cozy sweater … and safely enjoy the vibrant fall colors of Bar Harbor, Maine! Also, don’t forget to visit us at World-Famous Geddy’s Seafood Restaurant in downtown Bar Harbor, overlooking the waterfront. The menu features fresh Bar Harbor lobster straight from the live tank, the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor … and, of course, yummy New England clam chowder to warm you up on those brisk fall days. Or shop with us at Geddy’s Down-Under for fun, unique local gifts and souvenirs!
Be well, stay safe … and come hungry, 🙂
Heather
www.geddys.com
