Thanksgiving Plans During Coronavirus: Take New York Patch Survey

NEW YORK, NY — Thanksgiving will be different for many New Yorkers as they consider changing yearly traditions in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Most of the other major holidays have occurred at a time when the state's infection rate was much lower and outdoor gatherings were more feasible thanks to warm weather.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently set new statewide restrictions capping the number of people who can gather indoors at private homes to no more than 10 people. He also ordered bars, restaurants and gyms to close by 10 p.m., though late-night takeout is allowed.

New Yorkers planning to leave the state for Thanksgiving will be subject to certain restrictions. While people coming to New York from neighboring states are excluded for the state's travel advisory, anyone traveling to New York from a non-bordering state must self-isolate for two weeks or have proof of a negative coronavirus test.

• For travelers who were out-of-state for more than 24 hours:
  • Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure before arriving in New York.
  • Travelers must isolate for three days upon arriving in New York.
  • On day four of isolation, travelers must obtain a second COVID-19 test. If both tests comes back negative, the traveler may stop isolating early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
• For travelers who were out-of-state for less than 24 hours:
  • The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to isolate upon arriving in New York.
  • However, those travelers must fill out the state's traveler form upon entering New York and take a COVID-19 diagnostic test four days after arriving in New York.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance on Thanksgiving celebrations. Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside an immediate household is considered higher risk than small outdoor gatherings or virtual celebrations.

Patch wants to know about how our readers are planning to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Please take a few minutes to fill out the following survey. Your answers are anonymous, but you do have the option to state your views more fully.