Mel Camp talked to Dr. Gale Burstein about travel in our new normal and what you can expect.
We’ve been managing to keep COVID under control to an extent her in New York State. Other states are doing as well so if you are traveling out of state there are a few things you have to do.
Dr. Gale Burstein says New York State has identified 22 states outside of New York State that are known to have very high rates of COVID-19. Anybody traveling to those states have a greater chance of being exposed.
The State has a presence in the airport. All people flying on direct flights from one of these states that are on the governor’s list are given a form so they can report their travel information. When people get off the plane into the Buffalo airport there will be a state person and an enforcement person at the gate. They will be collecting all the forms from everybody. The forms will also be available electronically. The information from the travel forms will be give to the Erie County Health Department and they will contact these individuals and place them in quarantine and then follow them for two weeks.
If you refuse, then you will be at risk for a large fine and summoned to appear in court for a hearing. Dr. Burstein says they are taking this very seriously.
There are also a couple of other opportunities for people to self-report or report somebody you know in your neighborhood, work with or family members who traveled and aren’t staying in quarantine. There is a phone number that people can call to report as well as online and then the Erie County Health Department can follow up.
716-858-7690
