New Hampshire continues to closely monitor the developments regarding COVID-19 moving into the spring season. While restrictions and guidance is changing, sometimes on a day-to-day basis, you are encouraged to contact any property prior to visiting to find out about any specific reservation requirements. Please review the following if you are planning to visit the state.
Visiting New Hampshire
Mask Requirements
What's Open
Are you visiting New Hampshire from out-of-state?
If you are visiting New Hampshire from out-of-state, you are no longer required to quarantine once you arrive in state; or prior to traveling here. The new guidance, effective March 11, 2021, still recommends traveler’s quarantine, but the requirement has been lifted. Complete details on what out of state visitors need to know can be found here.
Mask Requirements?
New Hampshire’s Governor instituted a statewide mask mandate in an effort to help slow community transmission of COVID-19. The mandate requires anyone over the age of five, to wear a mask or cloth face covering while in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, when they are unable to maintain a 6 foot distance from people outside their households. The Governor’s Executive Order is here.
What’s open in NH?
Amusement Parks
Attractions
Bowling & Entertainment Centers
Campgrounds
Golf Courses
Lodging
Movie Theaters
Museums & Art Galleries
Performing Arts
Rest Areas/Welcome Centers
Restaurants
Retail Stores
Tourist Trains
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks are open with a capacity limit that allows all guests and groups to maintain appropriate social distance of at least 6 feet from anyone that is not in their group or party. All staff, and guests 2 years of age and older are required to wear a mask or cloth face covering. Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase admission tickets prior to arriving at the park. Additional updated guidance is located here.
Attractions
Outdoor activities located in recreational or natural settings are operating under the guidance outlined here. This refers to small groups of 10 or less and includes biking centers, canoe and kayak rentals, mini-golf, outdoor driving ranges, outdoor shooting ranges, small fishing charters, paint ball, and outdoor guiding services (fishing, hunting, and hiking). This guidance includes outdoor and nature based experiential attractions and business, including: agro-tourism, outdoor walking trails, tours and paths, batting cages, zip lines, chairlifts, ropes courses/aerial parks, disk golf, open off-road vehicle tours, natural science centers, garden tours, diving tours and lessons, caves, petting zoos, balloon rides, helicopter and plane rides (groups fewer than 5) and white water rafting. Individuals or household groups must be seated 6 feet apart (side-to-side and front-to-back). Customers are required to wear a cloth facemask.
Bowling & Entertainment Centers
Bowling & entertainment centers are open for daily business operations. This includes bowling facilities as well as arcades, laser tag, billard halls, etc. All facilities must ensure they are adapting to the new business processes as well as guidelines to protect their employees and consumers outlined here. Customers need to be prepared with a mask or cloth face covering as they may be asked to wear it if social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds (public and private) are open to the public, with reservations made in advance online or by telephone. Indoor and outdoor public gathering areas can be open as long as mask and social distance protocols are followed. Full guidance relative to check-in procedures, as well as efforts to protect employees and consumers is here.
Golf Courses
Pro shops and clubhouses may open to the public, but must follow new retail guidance outlined here. Guests should be prepared to bring their own clubs, and not allow anyone else to handle them. Walking is encouraged, however household members sharing a golf cart is allowed. Non-household golfers riding in the same cart are required to wear masks and when not able to maintain physical distance. Updated guidance is here.
Lodging
Hotels, motels, B&B’s, Inns, cabin communities and similar accommodations, including short-term rentals can accept reservations from NH residents or out of state visitors. A 10 day quarantine from people visiting outside of New England is still recommended, but not required. Guests should be prepared to wear a mask or cloth face covering when moving within the facility if social distancing is not possible. For example, during check-in or check-out, and when going to or from a guest room. Additional updates to the guidance is here.
Movie Theaters
Movie theaters are open to the public but with limitations to 50% occupancy. Customers are encouraged to buy tickets prior to arrival, and should receive a timeframe to enter the theater and go through ticketing in order to avoid congregating and waiting in the lobby. Additional guidance to help protect the health of employees and consumers is located here.
Museums & Art Galleries
Admission to museums and art galleries in NH are limited to the number of people that allows for consistent and appropriate social distancing. Any seating or viewing areas must be configured to maintain 6 feet of space between individuals and/or groups Guided tours and group activities are permitted for 10 people or fewer. Interactive exhibits should be closed or modified to allow for frequent cleaning and disinfection. Find updated guidance here.
Performing Arts
Performing arts centers are open with a capacity limit that will allow 6 feet of social distancing to be maintained between individuals and groups. Customers are encouraged to buy tickets prior to arrival at the venue and are required to wear face coverings when entering and exiting the facility, waiting in lines, buying food/drink and moving to and from the theater or restrooms when social distancing is difficult to maintain. Face coverings are not required when sitting and watching the performance as long as appropriate social distancing is maintained. Updated guidance is here.
Rest Areas/Welcome Centers
New Hampshire’s Rest Areas and Welcome Centers are open to the traveling public. Hours of operation and locations of the 12 facilities can be found here.
Restaurants
Restaurants can expand to operate at a capacity that will accommodate appropriate social distancing between tables. In addition, tables can have up to 10 guests. DJ’s, small group bands (three performers or less), solo artists and karaoke can perform inside restaurants and function halls as long as they can maintain physical distance from audience members. The food service/restaurant industry continues to offer curbside pickup and delivery as well. Full guidance is here.
Retail Stores
Retail businesses are open. Businesses must ensure they are following guidelines to protect employees and consumers detailed here. Customers are expected to wear cloth face coverings at all times when inside stores.
Tourist Trains
Tourist trains are open with an admission limit for daily and hourly capacities that will allow social distancing of 6 feet. All passengers 2 years of age and older are required to wear face masks while boarding, exiting and riding in the passenger car except if eating or drinking. Additional guidance can be found here.
For additional guidance for sectors to follow as they welcome back customers, clients and visitors, please click here.