NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York is no longer going to require domestic travelers to quarantine upon arriving in the state starting April 1.
While no longer mandatory, the state's Department of Health still recommends those coming into New York from another state or U.S. territory to quarantine as a precaution.
A mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers and all travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form.
"New Yorkers have shown strength and perseverance throughout this entire pandemic, and it shows through the numbers that continue to decrease every day," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement Thursday. "As we work to build our vaccination infrastructure even further and get more shots in arms, we're making significant progress in winning the footrace between the infection rate and the vaccination rate, allowing us to open new sectors of our economy and start our transition to a new normal in a post-pandemic world.
The governor adds, "As part of that transition, quarantine for domestic travelers is no longer required, but it is still being advised as an added precaution. This is great news, but it is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down. To beat this virus once and for all we all must continue doing what we know works to stop the spread, including wearing masks, washing our hands and practicing social distancing."
As part of that transition, quarantine for domestic travelers is no longer required, but it is still being advised as an added precaution. This is great news, but it is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down. To beat this virus once and for all we all must continue doing what we know works to stop the spread, including wearing masks, washing our hands and practicing social distancing."
Mayor Bill de Blasio is concerned about the move, which he said is the latest instance of the governor making an announcement without consulting him.
"Here's another case where New York City was not consulted even though one of the biggest cities in the world and 43% of the State's population. We were not consulted," de Blaiso said during his daily briefing Thursday.
Dr. Jay Varma, senior advisor for public health, believes the quarantine should remain in effect until more people are vaccinated.
"We do feel really strongly that it's important for us to be as cautious as we possibly can, and we know that one of the ways to help reduce infection is to limit the amount of travel that's going in and out of the city," Varma said.
Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of Health + Hospitals, said it may be a premature move.
"Especially with the variants. We want to limit how they move through our country and that therefore having people be going without any quarantine is worrisome to me," Katz said, adding it might make more sense to relax rules only for those who have been fully vaccinated.
The state is still requiring all individuals exposed to COVID-19 or returning from travel to:
• Continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14;
• Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated);
• Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.
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