Politics & Government

Massachusetts Travel Ban Remains in Effect

Gov. Patrick will reassess the situation after the storm ends Saturday afternoon.

Note: The ban was lifted statewide on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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Original article:

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A statewide travel ban remained in effect Saturday morning, as a serious winter storm continued to drop snow on the Boston area and other parts of Massachusetts.

In a call to NECN, Gov. Deval Patrick said conditions were improving slowly but that because the storm was still ongoing the travel ban would remain in effect.

Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patrick said he was still concerned about public safety and that he would reassess the situation "around midday."

The governor said he had not heard of any serious injuries because of the storm.

The statewide travel ban, an executive order that took effect at 4 p.m. Friday, affects nearly all non-emergency vehicles across the commonwealth. Some exclusions include health professionals, public works employees, utility workers and members of the media.

Anyone found violating the travel ban unnecessarily could face fines up to $500 or possibly even jail time, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz said at a Friday press conference.

Hear the governor's call in to NECN at necn.com.

A snow emergency remains in effect for the city of Boston. Click here to see a complete list of South End streets that are banned for parking during the emergency.

For updates and other information about the Feb. 8-9 winter storm, see South End Patch's storm center.

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