In a brazen attempt to keep coronavirus cases at bay, New York City is implementing a new vehicle checkpoint system at key bridges and crossings, and will strictly enforce the travel quarantine as the holidays approach.
“We’re going to make sure that people are reminded constantly throughout this whole holiday season that if you travel there are very clear rules that you have to follow,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his daily briefing Tuesday. “You’re going to see the presence of the city of New York when you travel, particularly through our Sheriff’s Office, you’re going to see that there are really clear rules to be followed and they will be enforced.”
The New York City Sheriff’s Office will be conducting vehicle checkpoints, and will also have teams conducting spot checks at curbside drop-off bus stops, where testing teams will be on the ground to direct individuals to testing sites and provide education on quarantine.
Planning to travel to & back to NYS this week ????️????????? Please follow NYS Travel Guidance regulations: https://t.co/LXTIJbapii pic.twitter.com/9dpShQNpTX
— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) November 24, 2020
The new policy mandates that travelers quarantine for 14 days or “test out” of the mandatory quarantine, and violations of self-quarantine may carry fines of $1,000 to $2,000, according to the mayor’s office.
“No one likes that, no one wants to do that at the holidays but we will do it to keep people safe,” de Blasio said.
The city will also enforce the completion of travelers forms at airports, Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
The new holiday guidance does not apply to travelers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Vermont, according to WCBS.