Business Travel: New York Travel Restrictions

For any traveler to New York State from a noncontiguous state, US territory or CDC level 2 or level 3 country, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are below:

• For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours:
  • Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, before arrival in New York.
  • The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
  • On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
     
• For travelers who were out-of-state for less than 24 hours
  
  • The traveler does not need a test before they depart from the other state and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
  • However, the traveler must fill out our traveler form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after they arrive in New York.

Travel Restrictions for the airlines

• A face covering is required while flying on American, except for children under 2 years old. If the traveler decline to wear one, the traveler may be denied boarding and future travel on American.

Precautionary Quarantine Requirements

• • The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the quarters that they have identified as suitable.
  • Separate quarters with separate bathroom facilities for each individual or family group. Access to a sink with soap and water, and paper towels is needed. 
  • The contact must have a way to self-quarantine from household members as soon as fever or other symptoms develop, in a separate room. There must be a door that separates it from the rest of the living area and has its own bathroom. Given that an exposed individual might become ill while sleeping, the exposed individual must sleep in a separate bedroom from household members. 
  • Cleaning supplies, e.g. household cleaning wipes, must be provided in any shared bathroom. 
  • If an individual sharing a bathroom becomes symptomatic, all others sharing the bathroom will be considered exposed persons until the symptomatic individual is appropriately evaluated and cleared. 
  • Food must be delivered to the individual’s quarters. 
  • Quarters must have a supply of face masks for individuals to put on if they become symptomatic. 
  • Garbage must be bagged and left outside by the door of each of the quarters for routine pick up. Special handling is not required. 
  • Individuals should self-monitor for fever and other symptoms of COVID-19 daily throughout the duration of the quarantine period.

Travel Restrictions for Essential workers

Exceptions to the travel advisory are permitted for essential workers and are limited based on the duration of time in designated states, as well as the intended duration of time in New York. The Commissioner of Health may additionally grant an exemption to the travel advisory based upon extraordinary circumstances, which do not warrant quarantine, but may be subject to the terms and conditions applied to essential workers or terms and conditions otherwise imposed by the Commissioner in the interest of public health.

Short Term – for essential workers traveling to New York State for a period of less than 12 hours.

• • This includes instances such as an essential worker passing through New York, delivering goods, awaiting flight layovers, and other short duration activities.
  • Essential workers should stay in their vehicle and/or limit personal exposure by avoiding public spaces as much as possible.
  • Essential workers should monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distance, and clean and disinfect workspaces.
  • Essential workers are required, to the extent possible, to avoid extended periods in public, contact with strangers, and large congregate settings.

Medium Term – for essential workers traveling to New York State for a period of less than 36 hours, requiring them to stay overnight. 

• • This includes instances such as an essential worker delivering multiple goods in New York, awaiting longer flight layover, and other medium duration activities.
  • Essential workers should monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distance, and clean and disinfect workspaces.
  • Essential workers are required, to the extent possible, to avoid extended periods in public, contact with strangers, and large congregate settings.

Long Term – for essential workers traveling to New York State for a period of greater than 36 hours, requiring them to stay several days.

• • This includes instances such as an essential worker working on longer projects, fulfilling extended employment obligations, and other longer duration activities. 
  • Essential workers must seek diagnostic testing for COVID-19 on day 4 after arriving.
  • Essential workers should monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distancing, clean and disinfect workspaces for a minimum of 14 days.

Essential workers and their employers are expected to comply with previously issued DOH guidance regarding return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the employee had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19. Additionally, this guidance may be superseded by more specific industry guidance for a particular industry (e.g., for a nursing home worker, a negative test PCR test will be required before return to work). 

CDC Guidelines for going out

• • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others. Masks offer some protection to you and may protect those around you if you are unknowingly infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that fits snugly against the sides of your face.
  • Stay 6 feet apart and avoid crowds.
  • The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
  • Avoid indoor spaces as much as possible, particularly ones that aren’t well ventilated.
  • Wash hands often.
  • Use soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after having been in a public place or hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

Travel health form

In response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in the United States and other countries, and to protect New York State’s (NYS) successful containment of COVID-19, NYS has issued a travel advisory for anyone entering NYS from a non-bordering state or traveled internationally from a country designated under a CDC level 2 (moderate risk) or 3 (high-risk) COVID-19 travel health notice.

All travelers coming to NYS from areas beyond the border states (NJ, CT, PA, MA, VT) must fill out this form. Travelers must quarantine for 14 days from the last day in a non-border state or another country, unless the traveler meets certain criteria.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/need-to-know.html

https://forms.ny.gov/s3/Welcome-to-New-York-State-Traveler-Health-Form

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory