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As the coronavirus pandemic grips the country, travel restrictions are increasingly going into effect. And while flights and international travel are grabbing the headlines thanks to increased security measures and border closings, it’s also important that we focus on changes to interstate travel within the U.S.

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Review restrictions by state

Before you set out, you’ll want to make sure you’re aware of any travel advisories or restrictions you may encounter in the states you’ll be passing through. The CDC issued the first national travel restrictions for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut on March 30th.

The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply.

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Alaska, Florida, and Georgia were the first three states to institute restrictions on state-to-state travel. Currently, 17 states require a 14-day quarantine if you are staying there after traveling from another state, including Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia.

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Here are the specifics on a few of the state provisions:

Alaska

Travel is prohibited, with exceptions for people who must “meet critical personal needs or work in critical infrastructure jobs” (see below.) Those who can travel to the state will be subject to automatic quarantine or isolation except as allowed under Alaska statutes or health mandates.

Critical personal needs include buying, selling, or delivering groceries and home goods; obtaining fuel for vehicles or residential needs; transporting family members for out-of-home care, essential health needs, or for purposes of child custody exchanges; receiving essential health care; providing essential health care to a family member; obtaining other important goods; and engaging in subsistence activities.

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Delaware

Gov. John Carney has ordered travelers entering the state from elsewhere in the U.S. to self-quarantine for 14 days while in state. If you’re driving into Delaware, you’re probably going to be stopped:

This order authorizes any Delaware law enforcement officer to stop a vehicle driving within the state simply because it is displaying out-of-state tags. During the stop the officer may ask limited questions related to the driver’s recent travel. The driver then must be informed of the Governor’s declarations and will be explicitly advised that if they are coming into Delaware from out-of-state, they are required by law, to self-quarantine for 14 days while in Delaware, or immediately return to their home state. This authorization does not apply to vehicles traveling on I-95, I-295, or I-495.

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Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier issued an order for a 14-day self-quarantine for travelers entering the state’s airports from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Florida is now also stopping drivers as they cross into the state from Alabama and Georgia.

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Hawaii

For the next 30 days, Gov. David Ige asks travelers to postpone their visits to Hawaii. All residents and arriving visitors who still elect to travel will go into a 14-day quarantine immediately upon entering the state.

Pursuant to section 127A-29, HRS, any person violating any rule relating to quarantine shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the person shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

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Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s executive order states:

Residents who traveled to California, Florida, New York, Washington on or after March 15; Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23; or Colorado and Louisiana on or after March 27 must self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to Kansas.

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The order also includes non-residents traveling from states with “known widespread community transmission,” including California, New York, Florida, and Washington state.



Rhode Island

Gov. Gina Raimondo issued an order stating:

Any person coming to Rhode Island from another state for a non-work-related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. This quarantine restriction shall not apply to public health, public safety or healthcare workers.

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Texas

By order of Gov Greg Abbott, anyone driving into Texas from Louisiana will be stopped by the Texas Department of Public Safety and required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

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Take the necessary precautions

If you’re traveling interstate due to work, you should obtain documentation directly from your employer stating the nature of your travel and why it is necessary, alongside contact information for your employer that you can provide to local or state police in the event you are pulled over.

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Julie Hall, public relations manager for the American Automobile Association, suggests a few recommendations to follow if you make the decision to travel longer distances by vehicle:

Before traveling, talk to your health care provider about your current state of health and prevention methods of spreading the virus.

Understand the impact COVID-19 has had on cities and states you are traveling through and if there are any restrictions in place. (See below and also check here

Travel with all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.

Identify if rest stops are open along your route. This varies state to state. Gas stations, which are essential businesses, may be your best option for restroom facilities. (Check each state’s Department of Transportation sites).

Consider that restaurants and fast food dining rooms may be closed, though drive-thru and carry-out will often be an option.

Contact hotels ahead of time to ensure they are open if you can’t make the trip in a single day.

Pack plenty of disinfectant spray/wipes.

No matter where you are traveling, you must take all possible precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus—particularly if you are traveling from an area with a high rate of infection.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advises that you consider all of these questions before traveling between states:

Is COVID-19 spreading in the area where you’re going?

If COVID-19 is running rampant at your destination, but not where you are currently living or staying, you may be increasing your risk of infection by traveling.

If COVID-19 is running rampant at your destination, but not where you are currently living or staying, you may be increasing your risk of infection by traveling. Will you or your travel companions be in close contact with others during your trip? Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like coronavirus may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation.—such as a vehicle.

Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like coronavirus may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation.—such as a vehicle. Are you or your travel companions at an increased risk from COVID-19?

People at higher risk for severe disease are older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions

People at higher risk for severe disease are Is COVID-19 spreading where I live when I return from travel?

Consider the risk of passing COVID-19 to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health condition

Source: Lifehacker.com

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