New York City Orders 14-day Quarantine for Int’l Travelers

In an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, New York City authorities have reinstalled 14-day quarantine measure for international visitors concerned about a fast-spreading strain of the virus detected in the UK.

“We are really serious about the fact that if you violate quarantine you are creating a danger for everyone else. We are in the final battle here; all we have to do is get through these holidays,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after announcing the 14-day self-isolation rule for all inbound travelers to be carried out at the address they provided on arrival.

Under the regulation, visitors to New York will be required to complete forms with contact information and where they will be staying. They will then receive a quarantine order by certified mail.

According to De Blasio, sheriff’s deputies would be visiting travelers from the UK to ensure they comply and warned that violations carry 1,000-dollar fines.

It should be noted that all inbound international travelers must provide contact details upon arrival.

TSA security checkpoint at JFK International Airport in New York. Photo source: tsa.gov

The move comes after dozens of countries and nearly all 27 EU states  imposed restrictions on travel from the UK, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson attributed the surge in Covid-19 incidents and deaths to a new strain of the virus. A second variant originating in South Africa was detected in the country shortly after.

New York City has been among the hardest hit by Covid-19. Meanwhile, the US is still reporting the world’s highest total cases and Covid-related deaths. Last week, over one million Americans were vaccinated. The government is aiming to inoculate some 20 million people by the end of the year.