No 14-day quarantine: New York introduced new rule for tourists

Now everyone who arrives in New York from other states must get a COVID-19 test well in advance. That way they can avoid the two-week quarantine upon arrival. The edition writes in detail about this CBS New York.

The new travel rule will take effect on November 4th. It was announced on Saturday, October 31st by the Governor of the State, Andrew Cuomo. "There will be no quarantine list," Cuomo said. "The new policy does not eliminate the 14-day quarantine, but it is a test case for those looking to shorten the period of self-isolation."

For several months, travelers coming from so-called "hot" spots were required to be in quarantine for 14 days. Now they can take some steps to reduce their quarantine time to three days.

In particular, to choose a shorter insulation, it is necessary:

• Get tested for COVID-19 72 hours before traveling to New York and test negative.
• Upload these results online to a dedicated app.
• Go through a three-day quarantine.
• Do the test again on the fourth day. If the second test for COVID-19 turns out to be negative, you can no longer adhere to quarantine.

“Within three days of arriving (in New York State - Ed.) You must take the test,” Cuomo said during a conference call. - Immediately upon arrival, you will be quarantined for three days, and on the fourth day you can take the test. If the test on the fourth day confirms that you are healthy, then you are exempt from quarantine. "

Anyone who has not taken the test must remain in quarantine for 14 days.

New Yorkers who have been out of state for less than 24 hours should not be tested before returning. But they must pass the test no more than four days after returning. “They don't need to take a test before boarding a plane to get back to New York,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo also said the new rules will not apply to travelers from states that border New York.

Health Department officials will continue to welcome travelers from states with high levels of the virus at airports. They will make sure that tourists fill out forms with information about where they are staying. This way they will be able to check whether the tourists are observing the quarantine.

Travelers who refuse to fill out the form risk a $ 2000 fine with mandatory quarantine.

Divara Zhumagaliyeva, who flew in from Florida, will be in quarantine for two weeks. “For a working person, this is a lot. Especially if you have children and a family, ”she said.

On the subject: New York Launches COVID-19 Tracking App: How It Works

“I definitely think this is a good change, because if the test is negative, I see no point in quarantining for 14 days,” another traveler said.

Another traveler, commenting on the new rule, said that he trusted the governor.

However, not everyone is thrilled with the innovation, especially given the fact that recently, almost 2050 residents of the state have confirmed the coronavirus.

Long Island resident Kiara Jackson said: “I think I should have left the 14-day quarantine. People are still sick. In fact, there are more and more patients. "

Cuomo says the decision was made with many experts who took into account the holidays and the fact that New York has the third highest infection rate in the country. “New Yorkers should be very proud of this,” Cuomo said. "New Jersey and Connecticut, which maintain the same quarantine list, have not announced any changes in their policies."