NY Coronavirus Quarantine Travel Restrictions Lift April 1: Cuomo

NEW YORK CITY — Travelers to New York can completely bypass coronavirus quarantine starting April 1, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

Cuomo's announcement Thursday — which lifts a significant restriction designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 into the state — came as a surprise to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

De Blasio said he wasn't consulted over a change that could expose New York City to more coronavirus risk.

"Of course I have concerns about this,” he said.

The change applies to domestic travelers coming from other states or U.S. territories, according to the governor's office.

Quarantine is no longer a requirement for travelers, but still recommended by state health officials. Travelers must all continue to fill out the state's Traveler Health Form, officials sasid.

Cuomo, in a statement, framed the change as a sign the state's vaccination effort is paying off and allowing its economy to reopen.

"As part of that transition, quarantine for domestic travelers is no longer required, but it is still being advised as an added precaution," he said. "This is great news, but it is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down. To beat this virus once and for all we all must continue doing what we know works to stop the spread, including wearing masks, washing our hands and practicing social distancing."

Jay Varma, the mayor's senior health adviser, said the city is still at a very tenuous point even with the coronavirus vaccine.

He noted that new coronavirus strains now account for 51 percent of new cases in the city.

"We do feel really strongly that it's important for us to be as cautious as we possibly can," he said. "And we know that one of the ways to help reduce infections is to limit the amount of travel that's going in and out of the city."