On December 4, 2020, the New Jersey Department of Health updated its restriction guidelines on self-quarantining after out-of-state travel. This guidance was published on New Jersey’s COVID-19 information hub on December 7, 2020. The updated guidance follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recently updated recommendations on self-quarantining periods. The new guidance, as contained on the COVID-19 information hub, provides the following.
New Jersey Travel Restriction Guidelines
New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time.
Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or another temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC:
- If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip
- If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time
- If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel
- If testing is not available or if the results are delayed, travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel
Increased Risk of COVID-19 Spread
The advisory is no longer specific to certain states. Because of the rising number of case counts across all states, there is an increased risk of spread of COVID-19 upon return from any travel.
Self-quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected. Travelers arriving from areas with increasing COVID-19 cases may wish to postpone their travel to the region if they are unwilling or unable to follow the quarantine advisory.
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