Travelers entering NJ from high-infection states must quarantine for 14 days

Travel advisory requires self-quarantine
Photo credit Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

UPDATED: 3:25 p.m. 

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As new coronavirus cases surge in other parts of the country, New Jersey is joining New York and Connecticut in issuing an advisory for people traveling from high-infection states.

Anyone entering New Jersey, New York or Connecticut from one of nine states where coronavirus cases are spiking is now required to quarantine for 14 days. This applies to any person, including New Jersey residents, coming from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington.

The requirement goes into effect at midnight.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont made the joint announcement with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday.

In New York City making an announcement. Watch Live: https://t.co/eAZlzJNgTB

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 24, 2020

“Doing something common sense, as this is, to say to folks: Listen, it's time for personal responsibility,” Murphy said. “If you've been in a state that has a high infection rate, do the right thing.”

Coronavirus infection rates have slowed in New Jersey, but they are rising sharply in other regions.

Cuomo said state officials in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will each be responsible for enforcing the policy in their state.

Those who violate the regulation could face a mandatory quarantine and fines — $2,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second, and up to $10,000 if you "cause harm," Cuomo said.

“This is a smart thing to do,” Murphy continued. “We have taken our people — the three of us, these three states — to hell and back, and the last thing we need to do right now is to subject our folks to another round.”

Murphy at his daily briefing didn't talk about specific enforcement, but said the state would not be pulling cars over at the border or questioning people as they arrive.