California added to NY's COVID-19 travel advisory; nonessential interstate travel with Massachusetts discouraged

Statewide positivity rate is 1.78%; WNY at 2.6%

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced California was added to New York state's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas were removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a seven-day rolling average, or an area with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average.

Neighboring state Massachusetts now meets the criteria for the travel advisory, in addition to Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – however, given the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between the states, a quarantine on these states is not practically viable. That said, New York state highly discourages, to the extent practical, nonessential travel between Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania while they meet the travel advisory criteria.

"We know COVID is spreading at increased rates in other states, and New York state is not in a hermetically sealed bubble. The numbers are a reminder that COVID is still here and continues to spread in communities across the state, particularly when people choose not to follow the safety protocols in place to control the virus. We continue to see outbreaks linked to mass gatherings at houses of worship, at weddings and funerals, and other events where the virus can quickly spread," Cuomo said. "Now, 45 states and territories meet the requirements for our travel advisory. We cannot let our guard down and risk going backwards in New York. It's going to take the work of all of us to remain vigilant. Stay ‘NY Smart’ – wear a mask, socially distance and follow the public health guidance. It's there to save lives."

The full, updated travel advisory list is available below:

1. Alaska
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Arizona
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Delaware
8. Florida
9. Georgia
10. Guam
11. Iowa
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Kansas
16. Kentucky
17. Louisiana
18. Maryland
19. Michigan
20. Minnesota
21. Missouri
22. Mississippi
23. Montana
24. North Carolina
25. North Dakota
26. Nebraska
27. New Mexico
28. Nevada
29. Ohio
30. Oklahoma
31. Puerto Rico
32. Rhode Island
33. South Carolina
34. South Dakota
35. Tennessee
36. Texas
37. Utah
38. Virginia
39. Wisconsin
40. West Virginia
41. Wyoming