CT Coronavirus: Trump's Travel Advisory Explained

CONNECTICUT — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the urging of President Donald Trump, issued a "domestic travel advisory" for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in an attempt to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

On Saturday, Trump was considering a "quarantine" for the three states but instead requested the travel advisory. Trump never defined that plan and the governors of all three states said they didn't know what it might have entailed.

The travel advisory basically means Connecticut residents shouldn't travel to other states for the next 14 days unless they are considered an "employee of critical infrastructure industries."

The advisory states,"The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply. These employees of critical infrastructure, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (here) have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedule. The Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory."

Lamont said Sunday that "The President and Vice President called last night to say there will be no further talk of mandatory quarantine/lockdown, rather a strict travel advisory, which reinforces what we are already doing in Connecticut. The good news is that they will recognize our emergency declaration, which could speed up federal support, as well as Title 32 financial support for the Connecticut Guard. Unfortunately, more (personal protective equipment) is still TBD."

According to the CDC, it "does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase chances of getting COVID-19, if there are other travelers with coronavirus infection. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel."

On the CDC's website, there is a list of "things to consider before travel" which you can read here.

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Prior to Trump's decision that a quarantine wasn't needed, Lamont said, "Regarding the President’s consideration of a quarantine of New York, as well as parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, our state has already called on residents to stay at home.

"Further, if interstate travel is absolutely necessary, our state has directed travelers to self-quarantine to prevent against further transmission of the virus. I have been in close communication with @NYGovCuomo and @GovMurphy, and I look forward to speaking to the President directly about his comments and any further enforcement actions, because confusion leads to panic."

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