In a COVID-19 briefing conducted by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday, he announced that his state would be removing the COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements for affected domestic travelers who completed being vaccinated within the previous 90 days.
The reason why this does not apply to those vaccinated more than 90 days ago is due to it being unclear how long vaccines will be effective.
The guidelines that still apply to unvaccinated individuals require those who traveled to a state that does not border New York for more than 24 hours to take two COVID-19 tests and engage in a quarantine.
The first test must be taken less than three days prior to departing for the state while the second will occur on the fourth day of quarantine, which ends following the second negative test result.
If no tests are taken by the traveler, they would need to quarantine for a 14-day period.
Meanwhile, those who traveled to a non-bordering state for fewer than 24 hours need to take a COVID-19 test four days after arriving back in the state, but no quarantine period is necessary upon arrival.
Both groups of people plus most international travelers must also fill out a contact-tracing form. It is unknown if recently vaccinated travelers need to do so as well.
Cuomo also stressed that those who enter the Empire State from a different country must still follow federal guidelines, which do not make any exceptions for vaccinated individuals.
These state that all travelers 2 and older traveling to the United States must show proof of a negative test result from within three days of travel or documentation of recovery from the virus.
During the same briefing, Cuomo announced that some restrictions within his state are being loosened.
On March 22, residential outdoor gatherings can number up to 25, an increase over the previous limit of 10. Also at that time, social outdoor gatherings can be comprised of up to 200 people and indoor ones of up to 100 individuals. Those scenarios had been limited to 50 individuals.
In addition, New York entertainment venues that seat fewer than 10,000 can open on April 2. Larger venues are already open.
The usage of masks and the engaging in social distancing will still be required of those within New York.
The state is also in the midst of vaccinating its residents as quickly as possible. Helping those efforts is the upcoming receipt of 165,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses, which is expected in nine days. Meanwhile, 3.1 million of the state’s residents have received at least one vaccine dose, and 1.7 million are fully vaccinated; those account for 16% and 9% of the state’s population.