Know Before You Go: What to Make of the Latest Tristate Travel Advisory
The governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have again teamed up to issue a new travel advisory concerning trips by their residents and visitors to the three neighboring states. Since flattening the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) curve in their respective states and maintaining it through late spring and summer, the trio have sought to protect their states’ residents as most other states in our nation experienced a worrisome spike in cases. Now, with concerns about increasing upsurges of COVID-19 nationwide—including their own states—the governors in our tristate region have jointly updated the restrictions previously imposed during July.
![The governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut issued a new travel advisory earlier this month; know the consequences of travel to restricted states or countries before you go! Or consider staying put if travel is not absolutely necessary]()
The governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut issued a new travel advisory earlier this month; know the consequences of travel to restricted states or countries before you go! Or consider staying put if travel is not absolutely necessary
On November 4, they issued a new travel advisory regarding incoming travel to their respective states in relation to the 14-day quarantine required by individuals who have traveled in a high-risk state for more than 24 hours.
For New Yorkers, the exception to the new rules include travel to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Also, only in New York, the advisory notes that you may “test-out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine as follows:
- Traveler must obtain a COVID-19 diagnostic test 72 hours prior to arriving in New York;
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The travelers must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for at least three days;
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On day 4 of their quarantine, the travelers must obtain another COVID-19 diagnostic test; and
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If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
The governor of New York also extended these same requirements for travelers who were in a Level 2 or Level 3 international country for more than 24 hours. If you live in New Jersey or Connecticut, please check your state’s site for the specifics on any exceptions.
Where a traveler is a member of the Einstein community, whether your travel was domestic or international in nature, in all instances, your test results must be submitted to Einstein’s occupational health service (OHS). Please call OHS at 718.430.3700 or 718.430.3141 for additional instruction.
If your travel out-of-state or internationally was for less than 24 hours, you don’t need a test prior to your departure from the other state or country, nor will you need to quarantine upon arrival to New York; however, you must complete a traveler health form upon your return.
When You Visit a High-Risk State or Nation
If you feel you must keep your travel plans, the following also should be kept in mind.
- Contact Einstein’s OHS at 718.430.3700 or 718.430.3141 to advise them of your plans to travel before you leave and contact them upon your return for additional instruction on quarantine requirements.
- If you must quarantine, working remotely may be an option for you, if approved, allowing you to continue working even though you won’t be able to come into the office. You should discuss this with your supervisor or department head as you'll need their approval.
- If you can’t work from home, you’ll likely need to cover your quarantine time with personal and/or vacation days, since sick days apply only if you’re actually sick.
“If you’re not certain what your best option may be, speak with your department head or human resources,” said Robert Cancellieri, director of employee relations. You can call Robert at 718.430.2551 or his colleague Kyoto Cotton at 718.430.3771, or email employeerelations@einsteinmed.org.
He added, “Employees traveling to a high-risk state or international country should also be aware that they will lose benefits from New York’s COVID-19 paid sick leave law unless their trip was essential as defined by the state and not for personal reasons.”
Or Just Stay Home
Pandemic safety measures such as quarantines help prevent disease but also can put your productivity on hold. The best medicine in these difficult times is prevention.
To avoid bringing back a contagious souvenir from a COVID-19 hot zone—and to protect your health and that of your colleagues and our students —“follow Einstein’s travel policy and avoid non-essential trips,” advised Yvonne Ramirez, vice president of human resources.
It’s for your own health, the health of those around you, and Einstein’s too.
Posted on: Thursday, November 19, 2020