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The CDC no longer recommends 14-day self quarantine for travelers

Aug. 24, 2020
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3 min read
Portrait Of Man Wearing Mask Sitting In Airplane
The CDC no longer recommends 14-day self quarantine for travelers
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed its recommendations for travelers to complete a self-imposed 14-day quarantine period after traveling out of state or the country, according to USA Today.

While it no longer recommends that every traveler isolates for two weeks after returning from a trip, it advises following the local recommendations of your state or city upon return. Several states -- most famously New York -- still require a period of quarantine after returning from a majority of U.S. states.

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The CDC still points out that you may become exposed to COVID-19 during your travels and that if you were indeed exposed at any point, there is a chance you could spread the disease to those in your family, your friends and the community at large.

While the previous CDC recommendations were just that -- recommended protocols for anyone choosing to travel -- the states that have put travel restrictions in place for residents have set up more systems for monitoring and enforcing the mandatory quarantines.

New York City, for example, has set up health checkpoints at major points of entry to the city and more recently has begun requiring anyone who is staying at a hotel or vacation rental property to fill out a health declaration form. It solicits contact information so that the city can more effectively stay in touch with a given person for contact tracing and quarantine enforcement.

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And, those who violate these requirements are subject to whatever penalties a given locality has decided to impose -- in the case of New York City, you could be charged with a Class-B misdemeanor or face fines.

Since several states have taken matters into their own hands concerning travel restrictions and their enforcement, not much has changed for travelers with the changing of the CDC's recommendations for travel. Before you decide to travel anywhere, be sure that you're aware of the risks of doing so, and do your research on the destination to which you're traveling so that there are no surprises about restrictions on that destination, whether you're traveling to or returning from it.

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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