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Flying to New York from a hot spot? Provide contact info or risk $2,000 fine

July 13, 2020
4 min read
New York Governor Cuomo Holds Briefing At LaGuardia Airport
Flying to New York from a hot spot? Provide contact info or risk $2,000 fine
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Travelers flying to New York from a coronavirus hot spot will have to provide their contact information or face a $2,000 fine for not doing so.

Those details were announced by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday, part of an emergency health order meant to give teeth to the state’s quarantine requirement for travelers arriving from states where coronavirus cases are high.

“We’re serious about enforcing quarantine,” Cuomo said via Twitter.

The stepped up quarantine rules in the USA’s biggest air travel market are just the latest setback for the industry, which has been dealt a crushing blow by the pandemic.

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Even before Cuomo moved to strengthen the rules in New York on Monday, analysts had already flagged the New York area’s restrictions as bad news for a travel recovery.

"We know the [second] quarter was awful,” Cowen analyst Helane Becker said about the broader industry in a Friday research note. “We are more interested in the current [third] quarter,” but added “the outlook isn't going to be great" with quarantine rules now in place in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

More immediately for travelers, those flying to New York from out-of-state hot spots will be asked to provide their contact details in a form. The governor said the state will work with the Port Authority to enforce the requirement at the New York City-area airports while the state will work with airports elsewhere in the state, according to Democrat & Chronicle of Rochester.

New York – in conjunction with neighboring Connecticut and New Jersey – first rolled out the quarantine requirements in late June. The rules, which now apply to travelers arriving from 19 states, asks travelers from hard hit states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

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Opening America: A state-by-state guide to reopening

Travelers arriving by plane had been asked to fill out forms upon landing in the state, but they were “voluntarily and there were no penalties associated with not filling it out,” writes the Democrat & Chronicle.

Now, the forms will be required. They'll be made available online or will be distributed by airlines.

Failure to provide the information could result in a summons and a $2,000 fine, though specific enforcement measures were not detailed.

“You must give officials at the airport your form as to where you came from and where you are going before you leave the airport,” Cuomo was quoted as saying by Newsday during a Monday press conference. “It will be enforced in every airport in the State of New York.”

More: As travel reopens, here’s what it’s like flying in the US right now

In stepping up enforcement of the quarantine guidelines, Cuomo said he was determined not to let the spread of coronavirus get out of hand again in New York. The state was one of the nation’s first coronavirus hotspots before the infection rates were brought under control there.

“None of this is pleasant, but we’ve gone through this,” he said, according to The Associated Press.

It did not appear that the emergency health order announced Monday would include Newark, which is a major gateway for New York City but sits in neighboring New Jersey.

New Jersey also asks passengers arriving from those same 19 states to self-quarantine, though a state COVID-19 information page said that “is voluntary, but compliance is expected.”

More:US airlines may have to retire 1,000 jets. These are the ones that could end up in the boneyard.

Featured image by Getty Images

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • 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.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $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.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.