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Gov. Cuomo announces new general COVID testing requirements for visitors to New York

Nov. 01, 2020
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4 min read
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Gov. Cuomo announces new general COVID testing requirements for visitors to New York
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Editor's Note

/strong> This post has been updated to reflect new information.

Editor's note: This post has been updated to reflect new information.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that those visiting the state from anywhere other than Connecticut and New Jersey must now meet certain COVID testing requirements to get out of a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry.

Travelers who have been in another state for more than 24 hours are required to provide a negative COVID test taken no more than three days before departure. Once in New York, a three-day quarantine is still required and will end once another COVID test is taken and comes back negative. Travelers who have spent less than 24 hours in another state are required to complete New York's traveler information form and get a COVID test four days after arrival in New York.

In the event a positive test result comes back, the visitor will have to isolate and the state will initiate contact tracing.

Previously, visitors from a long and ever-changing list of U.S. territories and states were required to undergo a mandatory quarantine when entering the Empire State.

The new protocol takes effect on Wednesday, November 4.

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The full requirements are as follows to test out of the two-week quarantine:



For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:

- Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.

- The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.

- On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain seek another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:

The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.

However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

Related: A state-by-state guide to reopening

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"New York [has] the third lowest positivity rate in the nation and New Yorkers should be very proud of what they're doing," Cuomo said in his announcement. "However, travel has become an issue - the rest of the states pose a threat. We're going to a new plan given the changing facts, and the experts suggest we shift to a testing policy. So there will be no quarantine list; there will be one rule that applies across the country. We bent the curve of this virus by following the data and the science, and we are continuing that approach with these new guidelines."

New York quarantine forms. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Related: Dreaming of a sandy beach? These Caribbean countries are open to U.S. tourists

As of Oct. 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tallied nearly 7.8 million cases and 214,446 U.S. deaths due to COVID-19 — an increase of more than six million cases since the quarantine was levied in late June.

Related: A country-by-country guide to reopening

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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