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MCC Daily Tribune

Restrictions on Out of State Travel

As the holiday weekend draws near and summer vacation plans are firming up, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind employees of the latest Executive Order issued by Governor Cuomo regarding voluntary travel to states that are designated hotspots for the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This travel advisory requires all New York residents who have traveled to specific states to quarantine themselves for 14 days after returning to New York from one of those states.

As of June 30, 2020, states designated as a COVID-19 hotspot include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. States are placed on this list based upon a seven day rolling average of positive tests in excess of 10% or the number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents. As a result, the list can change daily. You can check the New York State Coronavirus website for an updated list of states designated as hotspots and requiring a 14 day quarantine upon reentering New York from that state. You are not required to quarantine if you are simply passing through one of the designated states and are in the state for less than 24 hours.

What does that mean for MCC employees? If you are planning on traveling to one of these states, you need to confirm with your supervisor that you will be able to work from home during the required quarantine. If you are not able to work from home, the time will generally be paid quarantine leave under the federal law; New York State's paid leave will not be available. Please remember that there is a limit on the number of days of paid leave available under both the New York State and federal laws and you may want to conserve those days to protect yourself from loss of pay if you or a family member contracts the virus.

You must notify your supervisor if you are planning on traveling to one of these designated states to ensure that arrangements can be made for the precautionary quarantine that you will be subject to upon your return to New York. If you travel to a state that is placed on the list after you leave on your trip, you must notify your supervisor upon your return of the need to quarantine as a result of this executive order.

Please remember that the list of states and the transmission rates change daily. States are placed on this list because of the high incidence of COVID-19 transmission. This places you at greater risk for contracting the virus when traveling in these areas. Remember to exercise all precautions when traveling: wear a mask when in public, avoid large gatherings, observe social distancing and practice good hygiene and handwashing while traveling. Bring your hand sanitizer and use it often and avoid touching your face and your eyes.

Please consider carefully the potential health risks associated with your travel and how those risks impact you, your family, and your community. Additional information regarding the precautionary quarantine rules and the states designated as hotspots can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory. If you have any questions regarding the advisory or the need for leave due to travel outside of the state, please contact your supervisor and/or Human Resources.

Have a safe, healthy, and relaxing long weekend!

Melissa Fingar
Human Resources
07/02/2020