New guidelines released that allow out-of-state travelers to ‘test out’ of mandatory 14-day quarantine

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Essential workers will continue to be exempt as well. The new protocol went into effect on Nov. 4. 

“The ship of State is sailing well; New York is the third lowest positivity rate in the nation and New Yorkers should be very proud of what they’re doing. However, travel has become an issue – the rest of the states pose a threat. We’re going to a new plan given the changing facts, and the experts suggest we shift to a testing policy,” Governor Cuomo said. “So there will be no quarantine list; there will be one rule that applies across the country. We bent the curve of this virus by following the data and the science, and we are continuing that approach with these new guidelines.”

For any traveler to New York State from out of state, exempting the contiguous states, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are outlined below.

For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours, they must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state. The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day four of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain seek 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 in another state for less than 24 hours, they does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and do not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State. However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test four days after their arrival in New York.

Local health departments will validate tests, if necessary, and if a test comes back positive will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing. The local health department must make contact with the state the traveler came from to ensure contact tracing proceeds there as well. All travelers must continue to fill out the traveler information form upon arrival into New York State, according to the guidelines.