New York City has recently relaxed travel restrictions, which is welcome news after losing millions of visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic and suffering as a result. Tourism accounts for millions of jobs that sustain economies around the world; therefore losing these visitors was devastating for both tourism and local economies alike.
New York travel restrictions have recently been eased for European and UK visitors who have received vaccination against COVID-19, making the Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal to prevent an outbreak by COVID-19 a key priority.
Cuomo acknowledged in his statement that New York has made strides toward controlling its measles outbreak and suggested that travel restrictions be eased as an indicator of this success.
Visitors from abroad who meet vaccination criteria can enter the city as tourists with no restrictions whatsoever, visiting museums and attractions with ease; they should adhere to social distancing guidelines such as wearing face coverings or staying away from large groups of people.
Travel by car is permitted, though some restrictions must be adhered to. Visitors arriving via vehicle from outside New York must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on day one and remain isolated for four days before exiting quarantine early if their initial diagnostic test comes back negative.
Essential workers do have some exemptions. Essential workers must remain close to their work space, monitor temperature and signs of illness, wear face coverings when in public places, maintain social distance, clean and disinfect their workspaces regularly and avoid prolonged contact with others in large congregate settings.
If essential workers cannot meet these requirements, they may need to remain home. Employers in such instances should seek legal advice immediately.
Essential workers must continue to abide by all travel restrictions as well as social distancing guidelines.
Recent CDC guidance states that essential workers should monitor their symptoms for 14 days following travel and immediately self-isolate if any develop. Furthermore, essential workers should try and remain isolated as much as possible and wear face coverings when in public places like restaurants and bars.
This guidance distinguishes between long-term and short-term travel by essential workers, with certain exceptions granted for both types of travelers.
Long-Term Travel Restriction – Essential workers traveling to New York State for several days or more, such as employees on extended projects, fulfilling employment obligations or engaging in other longer duration activities that require multiple days’ stay in the state must seek diagnostic testing on day four after arriving and comply with all other aspects of their travel restriction, such as monitoring their health, adhering to social distancing guidelines and maintaining an ideal work environment.
Essential workers may opt to comply with the travel restriction by getting their vaccination prior to leaving home state, filling out and submitting the New York Traveler Health Form, and then presenting their traveler’s vaccination certificate upon arriving in New York State – this process can be accomplished online and requires minimal effort.