Health & Fitness
1 In 5 NYC Coronavirus Cases Linked To Travel, Mayor Says
Mayor Bill de Blasio said COVID-19 checkpoints have led to 3,000 stops and just two tickets as motorists largely comply with requirements.
NEW YORK CITY — Roughly 20 percent of New York City’s coronavirus cases are linked to travelers, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
De Blasio dropped the travel revelation Wednesday during an update on the city’s COVID-19 quarantine checkpoints.
Those checkpoints at the city’s major bridge and tunnel crossing aim to find motorists from and New Yorkers who visited 31 states with high coronavirus infection rates and must follow New York’s 14-day quarantine.
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City sheriff’s officers have so far conducted 3,000 stops, de Blasio said.
“They’re getting a lot of compliance from motorists,” he said. “I want to commend everyone, everyone is paying attention and doing the right thing. There’s only been a need so far for two summonses.”
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
De Blasio and, especially, Gov. Andrew Cuomo have raised concerns that another wave of coronavirus infection could reach New York from other states.
The numbers linked to out-of-travel that de Blasio revealed seem to confirm the fear.
Jay Varma, a city health official, said the 20 percent rate has been determined through interviews with new coronavirus patients.
“It’s been at that rate for the last few weeks,” he said.
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