Travelers Face New Covid-19 Testing Rules

Travelers to New York, including those returning home, will face new restrictions involving Covid-19 safety.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Saturday that travelers will have to get tested for the virus within three days before arrival, quarantine for at least three days, and then be tested on the fourth day. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

New Yorkers who travel out of state for less than 24 hours aren’t required to quarantine but must be tested on the fourth day back home. Those traveling out of state for longer  are required to be tested within three days of their departure and quarantine for at least three days upon arrival and a test on the fourth day.

Travelers to and from contiguous states are exempt, as are essential workers.

“The ship of state is sailing well: New York is the third lowest positivity rate in the nation and New Yorkers should be very proud of what they’re doing. However, travel has become an issue – the rest of the states pose a threat. We’re going to a new plan given the changing facts, and the experts suggest we shift to a testing policy,” Cuomo said. “So there will be no quarantine list; there will be one rule that applies across the country. We bent the curve of this virus by following the data and the science, and we are continuing that approach with these new guidelines.”

Local health departments will validate tests  and if  positive, will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing. 

 

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