Tri-state Area Imposes COVID Travel Regulations

With COVID-19 transmission rates in the Northeast declining compared to other regional hotspots in the U.S., the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have issued a joint incoming travel advisory. The notice orders all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

The quarantine, which began at midnight on June 24, applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a seven-day rolling average or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average.

All three states will also ask hotels to communicate the 14-day quarantine to guests who have traveled from one of the impacted states, which currently includes Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North and South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

Pilots, who are considered essential workers, are subject to certain exemptions. Those traveling to the area for less than 12 hours should limit personal exposure as much as possible, remain near their aircraft, monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distance, and clean and disinfect workspaces. Medium-term stays of less than 36 hours require the same and are advised to avoid extended periods in public, especially large congregate settings. Beyond 36 hours, diagnostic testing within 24 hours of arrival is required. Individuals failing to adhere to the quarantine regulations could be fined up to $10,000.

"Working together as a region has proven to be immensely successful as our respective states are leading the country when it comes to our response with low infection and positivity rates relative to increased testing capacity," said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. "This step to inform travelers from states with hot spots to self-isolate is meant to protect our residents and maintain our incredible public health progress."