Health Departments Warn Families Against Traveling During Upcoming Break

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JAMESTOWN – With several area schools set to take their mid-winter break next week, health departments across the region are warning residents about COVID-19 travel risks.

The Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County Health Departments joined others from around Western New York in reminding families about health guidelines.

The offices highlight increased risks due to COVID-19 variants popping up around the state and nation.

They discourage travel to areas outside of New York State, especially area’s that do not have COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Those who do travel, the departments remind them to follow the state’s travel advisory.

For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:

• Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.
• The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
• On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test, but still remain in quarantine. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:

• The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
• However, the traveler must fill out the Traveler Health Form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

Vacations in other parts of the country could also lead to an increase in travelers in the region.

The departments say visitors need to heed the state travel advisory as well, and follow other public health measures like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, staying home when sick and avoiding gatherings.