Governor Cuomo Announces New Guidelines for Out-of-State Travelers Allowing “Test Out” of 14-Day Quarantine

On Saturday, October 31, 2020, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 205.2 and announced new guidelines for out-of-state travelers that go into effect on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

To “test out” of the current mandatory 14-day quarantine, the new guidelines require individuals coming into the state to get tested for COVID-19 at least three days before their departure for New York, quarantine for at least three days upon arrival in New York and obtain another COVID-19 test on day four after arrival.  If both tests come back negative, the out-of-state traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative test. Local health departments will validate tests, if necessary, and if a test comes back positive, will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing.

The new guidelines do not apply to travelers entering New York from five contiguous states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont) or international travelers. For rules applicable to international travelers, please click here. Essential workers are also still exempt from the new guidelines and quarantine protocol and may enter New York without restriction. Additionally, individuals who were out of the state for less than 24 hours are not required to get tested prior to their departure from other states or quarantine upon arrival but must get a test on day four of arrival in New York to test out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Further, all travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form upon arrival into New York.

If you have questions regarding any aspects of higher education law or employment law and considerations regarding how these new guidelines may impact your institution or business, feel free to contact Hayley B. Dryer at (516) 357-3745 or via email at hdryer@cullenllp.com, Kevin P. McDonough at (516) 357-3787 or via email at kmcdonough@cullenllp.com, James G. Ryan at (516) 357-3750 or via email at jryan@cullenllp.com, Dina L. Vespia at (516) 357-3726 or via email at dvespia@cullenllp.com, or Thomas B. Wassel at (516) 357-3868 or via email at twassel@cullenllp.com.

Please note that this is a general overview of developments in the law and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between the sender and recipient.