NJ Expands Coronavirus Travel Quarantine List To Biggest In Weeks

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy has expanded the quarantine travel advisory list to its biggest in weeks, now demanding any travelers from 35 states and territories to quarantine for two weeks after returning – even if their travel route started in New Jersey.

Anybody traveling south will still have to find a circuitous route since Delaware remains on the quarantine list. In fact, traveling to many parts of the southern U.S. will be difficult without having to isolate upon return (see full list of states on the quarantine list below).

Murphy added New Mexico this week, raising the total of states and territories included in the advisory to 35. That's the biggest number in two weeks, and it's also the same amount of states that were under the advisory in early September.

The travel advisory is issued for states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positive rate over a 7-day rolling average.

Anyone returning from the designated states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel or other temporary lodging, Murphy said, and only leave for medical care or essential items.

New Jersey reported 208,713 total coronavirus cases and 14,351 confirmed deaths since the pandemic began. Murphy announced 651 more cases and nine deaths on Tuesday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

“We know that COVID-19 is a virus of opportunity, and if we let our guard down and grow complacent, we open a window of opportunity for future outbreaks,” said Murphy. “It remains critically important for anyone arriving to New Jersey from these 35 states and territories to get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine for 14 days.”

Murphy is now saying New Jersey may have to suspend further reopenings if cases continue to rise. Murphy made the comments after the Garden State had its highest daily number of new cases in four months. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ May Stop Reopenings If COVID-19 Cases Keep Rising

Murphy has issued Halloween rules and guidance for New Jersey amid the coronavirus crisis. Here's what that means. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Halloween Rules, Guidance Amid Coronavirus

Here is the latest list:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.

It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

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