Can I Go Now, Please?

Isolated (But Not In Isolation)

September 8, 2020

My intention is to visit the Northeast this fall to see the foliage. In researching any travel restrictions that might apply, I learned that New York is not part of New England. Perhaps I already knew that? It makes sense since no Red Sox fan would want New York to be part of New England, right?

I can confirm that my trip might possibly be achievable, if I have correctly interpreted the 20 odd websites I have visited. One 14 day quarantine is necessary but good to go after that. I think.

Maryland:

Just passing through so no worries here (right?)

Pennsylvania:

Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx

Virginia is not on Pennsylvania's restricted travel list so good to go here.

New York:

Website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

This is where things started to get slightly harder to comprehend. Apparently if I stay overnight in New York State, I will need to quarantine for 14 days. No positive test exception. No accounting for the fact I have lived like a hermit since the end of March.

Criteria for Designating States with Significant Community Spread All travelers entering New York who have recently traveled within a state with either:

• a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a seven-day rolling average; or

• a testing positivity rate of higher than a 10% over a seven-day rolling average,

will be required to quarantine for a period of 14 days consistent with the Department of Health (DOH) regulations for quarantine. Data used to construct the metrics that determine the designated states from which individuals must quarantine is detailed in the tables posted publicly by all 50 states. Analysis of the metrics will be conducted weekly to determine if travelers from other states qualify. The designated states with significant community spread will be conspicuously posted on the DOH website and will be updated weekly. Please check the site frequently as the information will change as often as daily, as rates of COVID-19 transmission increase or decrease.

I appreciate New York's specificity as to what quarantine means:

Quarantine Requirements: If you are returning from travel to a designated state, and if such travel was for longer than the limited duration outlined above, you are required to quarantine for 14 days, unless you are an essential worker identified below.

The requirements to safely quarantine include:

• The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the quarters that they have identified as suitable for their quarantine.

• The individual must be situated in separate quarters with a separate bathroom facility for each individual or family group. Access to a sink with soap, water, and paper towels is necessary. Cleaning supplies (e.g. household cleaning wipes, bleach) must be provided in any shared bathroom.

• The individual must have a way to self-quarantine from household members as soon as fever or other symptoms develop, in a separate room(s) with a separate door. Given that an exposed person might become ill while sleeping, the exposed person must sleep in a separate bedroom from household members.

• Food must be delivered to the person’s quarters.

• Quarters must have a supply of face masks for individuals to put on if they become symptomatic.

• Garbage must be bagged and left outside for routine pick up. Special handling is not required.

• A system for temperature and symptom monitoring must be implemented to provide assessment in-place for the quarantined persons in their separate quarters.

• Nearby medical facilities must be notified, if the individual begins to experience more than mild symptoms and may require medical assistance.

• The quarters must be secure against unauthorized access.

New Hampshire:

Website: https://www.visitnh.gov/covid19/reopening

I think this means a quarantine in NY is NOT satisfactory in New Hampshire, although the quarantine is "optional?"

Vermont:

Website: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/restart/cross-state-travel

It looks like an out-of-state quarantine is satisfactory?

Maine:

Website: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine/keepmainehealthy

If I come into Maine from New Hampshire I don't need to quarantine?

Massachusetts:

Website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

I get to pass go if I come into the Commonwealth from Maine?

Apparently one of the exemptions is if you are traveling from a "lower-risk state:"