BOSTON (AP) – The Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World 400 years ago, has canceled a scheduled stop in Rhode Island because of new travel restrictions required of people who visit the state.
The 64-year-old reproduction is sailing from Mystic, Connecticut to Plymouth, Massachusetts after an $11 million renovation project. The Mayflower II made an unscheduled stop in New Bedford this week to shelter during Tropical Storm Isaias. It was scheduled to visit Newport, Rhode Island on Thursday.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this week required people from Rhode Island or who have visited the state to quarantine for two weeks because of a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state.
“Due to Governor Baker’s recent change to the restrictions on travel to states including Rhode Island, Plimoth Plantation has decided out of an abundance of caution to keep Mayflower in New Bedford … until Saturday, August 8 when the ship will make its way to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy,” according to a press release from Plimoth Patuxet.
It is scheduled to arrive in Plymouth on Monday.
