FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Essential workers will continue to be exempt as well. The new protocol is effective Wednesday, November 4.
Quarantine Criteria for Travel
All travelers entering New York from a state that is not a contiguous state, or from a CDC level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice Country, shall quarantine for a period of 14 days, consistent with Department of Health regulations for quarantine, unless:
1. For travelers who traveled outside of New York for more than 24 hours, such travelers must obtain testing within 72 hours prior to arrival in New York, AND
2. Such travelers must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine according to Department of Health guidelines, for a minimum of three days, measured from time of arrival, and on day 4 may seek a diagnostic test to exit quarantine.
For travelers that meet the criteria above, the traveler may exit quarantine upon receipt of the second negative test result. Contiguous states are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Travelers from these states are not subject to this guidance.
Travelers who leave New York State for less than 24 hours do not need to obtain a diagnostic test before departing and do not need to quarantine upon return. However, such travelers must fill out the traveler form upon entry and must obtain a diagnostic test on the fourth day after arrival in New York.
Guidance for Travel
All individuals coming into New York from either a non-contiguous state or US territory, or any CDC Level 2 or Level 3 Health Notice country, whether or not such person is a New York resident, are required to complete the traveler health form upon entering New York. Significant penalties will be imposed on any individual who fails to complete the traveler health form.
The travel advisory issue pursuant to Executive Order 205.2, requires all New Yorkers, as well as those visiting from out of state and out of country, to comply with the advisory in the best interest of public health and safety.
However, the Department of Health retains the ability to enforce quarantine requirements and impose significant penalties for non-compliance, as such non-compliance can result in significant harm to public health. Primary enforcement is carried out through local departments of health (for Allegany County the Allegany County Department of Health).
To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory, please call 1-833-789-0470 or visit this website: https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask.
Quarantine Requirements
If you are coming to New York from travel to a non-contiguous state or designated country, and if such travel was for longer than 24 hours outlined above, you are required to quarantine pursuant to the below requirements until you test out or for the full 14 days, unless you are an essential worker traveling from a non-contiguous state, as identified below. The requirements to safely quarantine include:
The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the quarters that they have identified as suitable for their quarantine.
The individual must be situated in separate quarters with a separate bathroom facility for each individual or family group. Access to a sink with soap, water, and paper towels is necessary. Cleaning supplies (e.g. household cleaning wipes, bleach) must be provided in any shared bathroom.
The individual must have a way to self-quarantine from household members as soon as fever or other symptoms develop, in a separate room(s) with a separate door. Given that an exposed person might become ill while sleeping, the exposed person must sleep in a separate bedroom from household members.
Food must be delivered to the person’s quarters.
Quarters must have a supply of face masks for individuals to put on if they become symptomatic.
Garbage must be bagged and left outside for routine pick up. Special handling is not required.
A system for temperature and symptom monitoring must be implemented to provide assessment in-place for the quarantined persons in their separate quarters.
Nearby medical facilities must be notified, if the individual begins to experience more than mild symptoms and may require medical assistance.
The quarters must be secure against unauthorized access.
Individuals may also contact the Allegany County Department of Health. Please call the Allegany County Department of Health at (585)268-9250 to determine essential worker guidelines, or with any otherquestions you may have, or go to https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory .
For general inquires contact the call the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065.
