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New York has announced new COVID-19 testing requirements for American visitors who wish to leave the 14 day quarantine early.
The former policy featured a list of ever-changing states that would need to quarantine based on the epidemiology of each state.
With the new testing requirement, entry rules for out of state visitors have been simplified and can greatly reduce the 14 day mandatory quarantine.
This only applies to visitors from within the United States. We'll go over the international entry requirements later in the article.
Connecticut and New Jersey are exempt from the requirements along with essential workers.
For Travelers That Were In Another State For More Than 24 Hours
- All travelers must fill out the traveler health form
- All travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test no older than 72 hours of arriving in New York.
- Travelers must then quarantine for 3 days upon arrival.
- Travels will then take another COVID-19 test on day 4.
- If the test is negative, travelers will be released from quarantine.
For Travelers That Were In Another State For Less Than 24 Hours
- All travelers must fill out the traveler health form
- Travelers must quarantine for 3 days upon arrival.
- Travelers will then take a COVID-19 test on day 4.
- If the test is negative, travelers will be released from quarantine.
Travelers who do not meet the testing requirements must complete the 14 day quarantine.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 test result, an isolation order will be issued and the state will begin contact tracing.
The new testing requirements will go into effect beginning on November 4th, 2020.
New York’s new protocol allowing out-of-state travelers to “test out” of mandatory 14-day quarantine takes effect on *Wednesday, November 4.*
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 31, 2020
Details:https://t.co/RY0WcpAqJr
“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,” Governor Cuomo said in his announcement.
“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.”
International Travelers Arriving From Abroad
There was no mention in the Governor's announcement regarding international travelers being able to test out of the 14 day quarantine early.
The following COVID-19 entry requirements are still in effect:
Travelers from abroad must fill out the traveler health form.
All travelers entering the United States from any country with a CDC Level 2 or Level 3 health notice are required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days when arriving in New York.
New York follows all U.S. COVID-19 entry requirements which currently bans the following countries from entering:
- EU
- China
- Brazil
- UK
- Ireland
- Iran
Sources: NY Governor / NY Government / NY Health Form
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Chris
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
Question: I saw that NY is requiring a covid test 3 days before entering and after when arriving from another state. What about arriving from another country? I know that there was no mention. Are we 100 percent sure? Thanks!
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
We haven't been able to confirm for international arrivals - you will have to confirm with border police
James doe
Monday 2nd of November 2020
No thanks. I will not be subjected to or normalize nazi germany style tactics on American citizens over a man made issue. Im from NYC now in another state and we don't live with these crazy restrictions. So now i have to take a covid test to go visit roaches and a crack/heroine infested city that now has to nothing offer? Plus nyc being the covid release drop zone I risk catching it upon arrival as many others have who arrived negative until breathing nyc air. No thanks.
EdwardV
Sunday 1st of November 2020
The chances of me quarantining for three days on a five day trip are slim and none. And slim already left the building. I was planning on it, love NYC in mid-December. Now I’m headed to Vegas instead. Hit that sweet spot the day after Christmas to the day before New Year eve. I get going full quarantine for basically the entire country. But if you own a hotel, tourist shop or restaurant, you can kiss the festive season good bye.
Dennis
Sunday 1st of November 2020
Who wants to go to NYC in the first place, another thing it takes up to 72 hrs to get the results of the test back. I'm still waiting for mine I tootk over a week ago. People who want to go to NYC need their head examined.