US: New York State to ease some COVID-19 restrictions, starting Feb. 14 /update 36

Officials in New York State, US, to ease certain restrictions, starting Feb. 14, due to a decrease in COVID-19 infections.

Event

Officials in New York State have announced they plan to ease restrictions starting Feb. 14, due to decreases in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks.

Starting Feb. 14, indoor dining will be allowed to resume in New York City, at 25-percent capacity; services must cease daily between 0000-0500. In the rest of the state, indoor dining remains allowed at 50-percent capacity. Additionally, state authorities announced that starting March 15, marriage receptions will be allowed to resume statewide, at 50-percent of the venue's capacity, and a maximum of 150 people; all attendees must have pre-event testing.

Other restrictions remain unchanged:

Movie theaters and low-risk indoor entertainment venues may open at a 25-percent capacity, except in New York City, where they must remain closed.
All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people.
Gyms and fitness centers, as well as outdoor entertainment venues, may operate at a 33-percent capacity.
Ski resorts can open but are limited to operating indoor facilities at 50-percent capacity.
Personal care businesses, retail stores, and malls, may operate at 50-percent capacity.

Authorities require all persons, including essential workers, to wear facemasks when in public and whenever they cannot adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Travel Restrictions
New York State also has travel restrictions in place. Under the current measures, incoming travelers who have spent over 24 hours in another noncontiguous state or in a country categorized at Level 2, 3, or 4 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. However, travelers who have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to their arrival in New York State may enter three days of quarantine upon arrival in the state and take a second test on day four. If the second test is negative, the individual may exit quarantine.

Travelers who were out of New York State for shorter than 24 hours are exempt from the quarantine requirement; however, such individuals must take a test 96 hours after returning to the state. All arriving travelers are required to fill out a Traveler Health Form. Persons who do not fill out the form are subject to a fine and possible quarantine. All travelers, except those traveling by air, fill out an online form. Air passengers fill out a form at the airport. Travelers from the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, as well as essential workers, are exempt from all these requirements.

Travelers from countries categorized at Level 1 by the CDC are not subject to the quarantine or testing requirements. As of Feb. 8, there are 30 countries and territories at Level 1, including Australia, China, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

All persons traveling to or from New York State should reconfirm entry and departure requirements before travel. Ensure that all required documentation has been completed to ensure ease of travel. Heed the directives of the local authorities. Plan for delays at entry points.