On October 31, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Prior to these new guidelines, any person traveling into New York from certain identified states was required to quarantine for no less than 14 days before the traveler is allowed to travel within New York.
Under the new guidelines, for any traveler to New York State from out of state (any state; no restricted list), exempting the contiguous states, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are as follows:
For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:
- Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state (where you are coming to New York from);
- The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days; and
- On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test.
If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:
The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State. However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.
Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York, e.g., Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, will remain exempt from the travel advisory. There are certain exemptions for essential workers. These new guidelines will go into effect Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Travelers who do not “test out” will remain subject to the 14-day quarantine.
Should you have any questions regarding the above, please contact the Garfunkel Wild attorney with whom you regularly work, or contact us at [email protected].