NEW YORK — With coronavirus cases rising across most of the country, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that all out-of-state visitors must now test negative for COVID-19 three days before arriving in New York.
Visitors will then need to quarantine for three days once they arrive, and get tested again on the fourth day. Should the test come back positive, then a visitor must remain in quarantine.
The new rule puts an end to the state's travel advisory list, which required visitors from states with high coronavirus rates to isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
"There will be no quarantine list, there will be no metrics," Cuomo said. "There will be one rule that applies across the country."
Cuomo says the policy does not apply to people who are traveling into New York for the day from neighboring states, adding that it would be impossible to enforce.
He also said New Yorkers who briefly leave the state must get tested after they return.
"New Yorkers who travel outside of New York for less than 24 hours must take a test within four days of their arrival," Cuomo said.
Th announcement comes just a few weeks before the holidays begin. Officials are concerned travel to and from states with high positivity rates will cause a spike of cases in New York.
"Thanksgiving is going to create an increase in the rate. Because Thanksgiving is going to be complicated," said Cuomo.
Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this week urged people not to travel out of state during the holiday season.
If a person chooses not to get tested, they must instead quarantine for 14 days, the governor said.
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