Texas To Quarantine Visitors From NYC Area

The state of Texas has taken an innovative approach to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the USA.

On March 26, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order (EO) mandating a self-quarantine of 14-days for individuals traveling to Texas as their final destination, through any airport from the greater New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut area.

Airports encompassed by this EO include JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.

This area has reported over 50 percent of all SARS-CoV-2 infections in the USA during 2020.

Failure to comply with this Texas order is considered a criminal offense that is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, or both.

Governor Abbott said in a statement, "The New York Tri-State area have become major centers of this pandemic, and it is vital that we take necessary precautions to prevent additional exposure that could originate from people traveling from these areas to Texas."

This order to self-quarantine does not apply to people traveling in connection with military service, emergency response, health response, or critical-infrastructure functions, but does include the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

“This Executive Order is another important measure we are taking to protect the health and safety of Texans, and we will continue to take any action necessary to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 in our state,” said Gov. Abbott.

Those entering Texas as their final destination from the designated areas will use a form to designate their quarantine location. 

Furthermore, special agents will conduct unannounced visits to designated quarantine locations to verify compliance. 

Failure to comply with this EO is considered a criminal offense that is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, or both.

This Texas EO to self-quarantine will remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by the Governor.

“All of us have a linked responsibility to live up to the national standard to do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Texas,” he said, according to a Houston Chronicle pool report.

Asked about President Trump's aspiration to reopen the USA by Easter, Gov. Abbott replied, “Way too early to tell right now.”

He acknowledged “an urgent desire to get back to work and get back to normal." But said, medical professionals’ advice would guide his decisions.

“We wouldn’t want to suddenly open schools or businesses only to have to shut them down again,” Gov. Abbott concluded.

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Outbreak quarantine and alert news published by Vax-Before-Travel.