CONCORD – The state is temporarily closing its 12 rest areas and welcome centers this weekend as part of a statewide response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), in coordination with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, announced the closure of these locations Thursday. The temporary closure goes into effect at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Employees with BEA who support these locations will be transitioning duties to support other essential state services during this closure. All rest areas are equipped with portable toilets, which are cleaned and serviced on a regular basis. However, the restroom facilities in Hooksett along Interstate 93 are operated by Granite State Hospitality and will remain open.

“We recognize that New Hampshire’s rest areas and welcome centers are a valuable resource for visitors and are confident that they can access amenities located outside of the buildings on a temporary self-service basis while staff transition work duties to support other essential state services,” BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell stated in a release.

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