NJ Implements Quarantine 'Hot Spot' Strategy At Airports

NEW JERSEY — The Garden State is now requesting residents traveling from COVID-19 hot spots to New Jersey via airplane fill out an electronic survey, self-isolate and be tested, according to Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

"The airlines will make an announcement about the travel advisory on impacted states," Persichilli said at Friday's COVID-19 briefing, noting that there would be a survey at the point of departure and in-flight while en route to New Jersey.

Travelers will be connected to an electronic survey that will collect information about where they are traveling from, their residence, and their destination.

The survey will list the states affected by the travel advisory. The list is updated weekly and pertains to states that have positive COVID-19 test rates of more than 10 per 100,000 residents or have a ten percent or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average.

The survey will also be accessible by texting NJTRAVEL to the number 898211 or by visiting covid19.nj.gov/njtravel. There will also be a QR on posters placed at airports this Monday.

The survey information will be submitted to the county health department, Persichilli said, and those individual departments will contact the traveler with reminders to self-quarantine and information on where to go for testing.

"The self-quarantine advisory is voluntary," Persichilli said. "But compliance is expected. It is relying on personal responsibility."

Persichilli noted that individuals should leave quarantine only to seek treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.

"It is vital that individuals traveling from heavily impacted states cooperate, so we can avoid any outbreaks in our state," she said.

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