COVID-19 checkpoints will be setup to protect New Yorkers from a surge in cases
The COVID-19 pandemic has rattled New York City. During the peak of the crisis, New Yorkers could hear ambulance sirens blaring every other second. However, we fought hard and we succeeded: we defeated the so-called curve of new cases and deaths.
Despite all the hard work though, a new challenge arises. Cases are rising in other states with California, Florida and Texas being the new biggest hotspots. So, there is some fear that people travelling to NYC from COVID hotspots may causes a surge in cases in the city.
“New York City is holding the line against COVID-19, and New Yorkers have shown tremendous discipline. We’re not going to let our hard work slip away and will continue to do everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”
Mayor Bill De Blasio
To keep our defense game strong, Mayor De Blasio has announced that checkpoints will be set up at Penn Station, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and other major bridge and tunnel crossings. Vehicles will be stopped at random to educate travelers from other states about quarantine requirements and asks them to fill out the New York State Department of Health Traveler Health Form. The form will collect information for the contact tracing program set in place by the city. The quarantine rules will apply to 35 different states and territories within the U.S. that currently have a high infection rate of the coronavirus.
What’s more, the city is partnering with transportation and tourism companies to enforce quarantine procedures. The city also put up digital signage at key entry points into NYC to aware people of the situation. The checkpoints have been set up since August 6th. So watch out!
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Which states does the quarantine requirement apply to?
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
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Quarantine guidelines for Non-Essential workers
If you are a non-essential worker, you are asked to stay at your residence/hotel room for 14 days upon entering NYC. You may only leave to get food if it can’t be delivered to you or if you have an essential medical appointment.
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No guests can you during your quarantine period. You should monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. If you feel like you may have been infected, you must seek medical advice or get tested.
Quarantine guidelines for Essentials works
If you are an essential worker, you have to limit contact with other people that are not related to your essential work for 14 days. Like non-essential workers, you should monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms and seek medical advice or testing if needed. If you plan to stay longer than 36 hours, however, you need to get tested within 24 hours.
What are the consequences of not quarantining?
If you are found to be not following the quarantine orders, you may have to pay a hefty fine of $10,000! Additionally, if you do not fill out the traveler health form, there will be a $2000 fine.
New York City is pretty serious about the quarantine requirements. We have fought hard against the coronavirus. Now we don’t want other states to jeopardize our success. If you are traveling from any of the states listed above, please comply with the quarantine requirements unless you don’t mind paying $10,000.
