Ladies and Gentlemen:

I hope this newsletter finds you all doing well and the best under such challenging circumstances. Attached are the Select Board and Board of Health Order (effective as of 5:00pm yesterday), State of Emergency in Provincetown Press Release, and the Town Manager’s Clarifications.  These items are communicating a “shelter order” for Provincetown.  As I am sure many of you know, states/cities/towns have all issued many similar orders in an effort to stop the spread of a highly infectious virus. This means that whether you are in Provincetown or in a place like say, New York City, you are aware that you must effectively stay inside except for limited purposes and even then to observe physical distancing rules. Provincetown is no exception and not unique on that score.

Naturally, emails have been forwarded wondering what all this means to you as a homeowner in Provincetown.  Many of your comments are perhaps fueled by unfortunate postings on social media concerning part-timers.  PPRTA has been in touch with Provincetown governance to clarify a few things and to dispel rumors.

So What is Happening in Provincetown:

First, the order by the Select Board and the Board of Health and the clarification by the Town Manager are not targeting in some nefarious way part-time homeowners. This is not a lockdown of the Town prohibiting or banning from Provincetown individuals who own homes or those with long term leases. There are no guards at the border.

However, non-essential businesses are closed (which of course includes the library, I say with much sadness). Day-trippers and weekenders, if you will, are being discouraged to travel to Provincetown. That is why parking is prohibited on Commercial Street, for example, unless you have a permit. (You may recall, however, from the last Traffic Hearing that permits were changed to treat part-time resident property owners the same as full-time residents). This is also why the Town has prohibited, temporarily, stays at B&Bs and hotels and the like.  Again, not a unique approach for a Town that in many respects caters to tourists – which we are.

If in Provincetown, you must "shelter in place" just as if you were in New York City or Boston or numerous other places.  This means -- inside for the most part and when outside you must adhere to physical distancing rules.  (We are not socially distancing… we can socialize remotely. But we must distance physically). In other words, you must decide to effectively self-quarantine in Provincetown or where you are.

As you all know, this is a highly infectious disease that for many shows no symptoms but for those in high risk groups can be extremely dangerous. These measures taken by the Provincetown governance, like many other towns and cities, is intended to stop the spread of the virus to protect the vulnerable. When deciding if you wish to “shelter” in Provincetown, please consider healthcare issues. Keep in mind that the Outer Cape, for example, is operating with an off season staff. You must consider where you would be treated if you were to become sick or if you have a pre-existing condition.

Also, when making your decision to travel to Provincetown, please keep in mind that travel restrictions from where you are coming from may become stricter.

Last, if you decide to “shelter” in Provincetown, you might consider joining the Provincetown Task Force at PC19TaskForce@gmail.com.

Final Note:

Please ignore the exceptionally ignorant commentary on social media. Please do not engage.  As usual a few loud, uninformed voices make everyone else cringe. One thing to keep in mind:  It is very easy to profess to be open-minded, inclusive, open to diversity -- and just plain old kind to one and other -- when times are easy. True colors shine through when the pressure is on.