Critical Alert
Officials in New Jersey, US, issue updated coronavirus disease-related travel advisory list Oct. 6. Other restrictions remain in place.
Alert Begins 07 Oct 2020 12:27 PM UTC
Alert Expires 14 Oct 2020 11:59 PM UTC
- Incident: COVID-19 Restrictions
- Location(s): New Jersey
- Time Frame: Indefinite
- Impact: Travel restrictions and business disruptions
Summary
On Oct. 6, authorities in New Jersey released an updated travel advisory list as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Travelers arriving from states or territories on New Jersey's travel advisory list are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. New Mexico has been added to the list, and no state or territory has been removed.
As of Oct. 6, authorities recommend that all individuals entering New Jersey from the following states and territories self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival:
- Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
According to the advisory, self-isolation remains voluntary; however, compliance is expected by the authorities. Hotels in New Jersey have been asked to notify any guests arriving from affected states that they should comply with the instruction. Business travelers, critical workers, and seasonal migrant farmworkers are exempt from these measures.
The list of states is updated weekly by officials to ensure it includes all states with positive COVID-19 test rates higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or positivity rates of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average.
Current business restrictions remain in effect. Gyms, fitness centers, and indoor amusement and water parks may open at 25-percent capacity. Indoor dining and music venues, as well as movie theaters, may open at 25-percent capacity.
Indoor gatherings, such as weddings, funerals, political activities, and religious services, are limited to either 25-percent capacity or 150 people, whichever is lower. Officials have ordered residents to wear protective facemasks in all indoor public spaces and outdoor settings whenever compliance with social distancing measures is not possible. Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are banned.
Low-contact organized and recreational sports activities can resume. Indoor shopping malls may open at 50-percent capacity, and casinos may open at 25-percent capacity. Other businesses allowed to operate include outdoor dining at restaurants, retail stores, in-person shopping, childcare centers, all outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities, all construction projects, drive-in cinemas and other drive-through activities, car, motorcycle, and boat dealerships, bike shops, beaches, state parks, recreational campgrounds, non-urgent medical procedures, and professional sports teams' practices and games.
All businesses must ensure compliance with social-distancing standards, enhance sanitation procedures, and provide employees with any necessary personal protective equipment. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and fuel stations may continue to provide in-person services, while companies in agriculture, manufacturing, security, transport, and media services can also remain open.
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
Heed the directives of the authorities. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
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