Tri-state area governors have yet to reveal whether they will be lifting their 14-day coronavirus travel self-quarantine requirements following the CDC saying its no longer necessary.
On Friday, the CDC lifted its advice that people should self-quarantine after traveling from international locations or from areas that are experiencing high numbers of coronavirus cases.
Instead, the public health institution now just says that travelers should ‘follow state, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel.’
The CDC dropped its recommendation that travelers self-quarantine for 14 days. Travelers are seen wearing masks at New York City’s JFK Airport
The CDC does note that ‘Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19’ and says that ‘Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.’
It also reminds travelers that they can be asymptomatic coronavirus carriers and infectious for 14 days after being exposed to it.
Despite the CDC saying that the 14-day self-quarantine is no longer necessary, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont have not made any public revelations about whether they intend to continue their self-quarantine orders.
The three states currently mandate that people traveling in from 35 US states and territories where coronavirus caseloads are still high must self-quarantine for 14 days to avoid potentially spreading the virus to others.
Cuomo has been particularly cautious when it comes to reopening the state, which was deemed America’s coronavirus epicenter in late March, into April.
Tri-State area governors, including New York State’s Andrew Cuomo, have not yet stated whether they will rescind their travel self-quarantine orders
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (left) and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (right) have not made any public statements about changing their current travel self-quarantine orders
On Monday, Cuomo revealed that New York State has recorded its lowest infection rate since the start of the pandemic at just 0.66 per cent.
Of the 62,031 people who were tested for coronavirus Sunday, only 408, or 0.66 per cent, tested positive, he said.
With the additional 408 cases, the statewide total of coronavirus infections is now 430,145.
On Sunday, there were seven deaths due to the virus, bringing the death toll to 25,295.
‘Congratulations to New Yorkers for their hard work in getting us to this point, but we must keep up that work and continue wearing our masks and socially distancing,’ he said during a press conference.
Despite the markedly decreased drop in positive coronavirus testing results, Cuomo continues to put a pin in allowing the return of indoor dining and bar service, which has had a devastating impact on the industry.
Last week, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, which represents 25,000 bars and restaurants, said that – with rents overdue, revenue at an all-time low and thousands of employees out of work – if New York State and NYC don’t allow the reopening of indoor dining in the city, it will sue.
‘Despite the fact that the city exceeds and sustains the metrics that have allowed restaurants throughout the rest of the state to reopen, government leaders have still yet to provide any guidance on when small business owners, workers and customers can expect indoor dining to return,’ NYC Hospitality Alliance executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance Andrew Rigie said August 19, according to SILive.com.
‘Our industry’s survival over the next several months depends on government immediately developing and implementing a plan that allows restaurants in New York City to safely reopen indoors like our counterparts everywhere else in the state.’
NYC restaurants were expected to reopen for indoor dining in July, but that plan was put on pause.
Cuomo has, however, said that gyms can now start to reopen, with Mayor Bill de Blasio saying gyms can open up for indoor workouts on September 2.
Indoor group classes and pools will remain closed, according to the mayor.
Cuomo said that local governments must inspect each gym before or within two weeks of reopening to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocol.
Cuomo said Monday that lower-risk sports practices and games, such as for soccer and tennis, can resume beginning September 21, with travel games allowed beginning October 19.
Full-contact sports, like football, are only allowed to practice, not compete.
New York State is now in Phase 4 of reopening, which allows non-essential businesses to reopen and the restricted resumption of commercial and recreational activities.
This means that colleges and pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 school can start up in-person classes again.
Low-risk indoors and outdoors arts and entertainment activities – such as museums – media production and fan-less professional sports games can start up again as well.