ALBANY – New York will end its mandatory quarantine policy for domestic travelers entering the state beginning next month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.
Since June, Cuomo’s administration has required out-of-state travelers or those returning home to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival in New York, with a shorter isolation period required in recent months for those who test negative for COVID-19.
With virus rates dropping throughout the country, New York will now abandon the mandatory quarantine requirement altogether for those traveling domestically, though the state Department of Health will still recommend it as a precaution.
The change takes effect April 1.
“This is great news, but it is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Cuomo announced those who are asymptomatic have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer have to quarantine when traveling to or returning to New York within the first 90 days of their second dose.
Once the new policy kicks in April 1, travelers will still be required to monitor symptoms for 14 days upon arrival in New York and will be instructed to self-isolate if any symptoms occur.
The quarantine requirement will remain in effect for those traveling internationally, according to Cuomo’s office.
All travelers will still be required to fill out a contact-tracing form with their contact information and address upon returning to New York. Failure to fill out a form before leaving a New York airport can result in a $10,000 fine, according to the state.
Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JonCampbellGAN.
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