UPDATE: This post was updated on March 13, 2021 to reflect changes to New York State’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory and to include information on Governor Cuomo’s March 11^th announcement regarding quarantine requirements for travelers to New York State.

UPDATE: On April 1, 2021, the NYS Department of Health issued an updated travel advisory, which no longer requires a quarantine for domestic travelers arriving in New York.

UPDATE: On April 10, 2021, the NYS Department of Health issued an updated travel advisory, and some of the information in this post might be out of date. Please see our new blog post here.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that domestic travelers to New York State who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within the last 90 days will no longer be required to quarantine or be tested upon arrival. On March 11, New York State updated its COVID-19 Travel Advisory to reflect this announcement. Previously, unvaccinated travelers from noncontiguous states and territories were required to quarantine for ten days upon arrival, or obtain two negative tests within the time period provided in the travel advisory.

Specifically, asymptomatic travelers to New York who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine in the first three months after vaccination if at least two weeks have passed from receipt of the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or from receipt of a single-dose vaccine. All travelers must still complete a Traveler Health Form upon arrival and continue to adhere to social distancing, mask wearing, and other COVID-19 safety guidelines.

In addition, asymptomatic travelers who previously tested positive for COVID-19, but have since recovered, are also exempted from testing and quarantine requirements for three months from the date of the onset of symptom, or from the first positive diagnostic test if the individual never showed symptoms.

On March 11^th, Governor Cuomo also announced that beginning April 1^st, New York will no longer require (but will continue to recommend) quarantine for domestic travelers to the State. All travelers must complete a Travelers Health Form upon arrival and comply with other COVID-19 safety guidelines, including mask wearing and socially distancing. Travelers must also self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and immediately self-isolate if symptoms develop.

International travelers will still be required to quarantine upon arrival in New York, and must also continue to follow CDC travel and quarantine guidance, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated. Currently, the CDC requires that all international travelers produce a negative COVID-19 test within three days prior to departure and recommends that all travelers quarantine for at least ten days upon arrival in the United States, or seven days if they test negative within 3-5 days after arrival. New York State requires international travelers from CDC Level 2 or higher countries quarantine for ten days or produce two negative COVID-19 tests. We continue to await additional guidance from New York State regarding international travel and will update this post if New York further revises its official COVID-19 Travel Advisory.

*     *     *

Proskauer’s cross-disciplinary, cross-jurisdictional Coronavirus Response Team is focused on supporting and addressing client concerns. Visit our Coronavirus Resource Center for guidance on risk management measures, practical steps businesses can take and resources to help manage ongoing operations.