Traveling from Florida to the NYC area? Prepare to quarantine
TAMPA, Fla. - Travel restrictions to Connecticut, New Jersey and New York are being ramped up. Now, travelers from 16 states, including Florida, must self-isolate when heading north.
“It is really disappointing, obviously,” said Jenna Herson, who was flying from Tampa to New Jersey on Wednesday. “It definitely did change my plans. Fourth of July is going to be ruined for me."
Those strict quarantine rules apply to anyone traveling from a state that has a COVID-19 positivity rate that’s more than 10 percent over a seven-day rolling average. Florida currently sits around 16 percent, according to John’s Hopkins University.
"The increasing viral spread across the nation is also a problem, especially in New York City,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “New York City is where most of the flights come.”
RELATED: Over 6,500 new Florida coronavirus cases reported Wednesday; 45 new deaths
At least one woman heading to the New York told FOX 13 off-camera, she wasn’t sure she’d follow the self-isolation order. If caught, she could face fines starting at a hefty $2,000.
Ironically, it wasn’t too long ago that Florida was telling travelers from that very same tri-state area that they’d have to quarantine for two weeks when they got here.
”It is going to get old really quick,” Herson said. “I guess I’ll work on some college and work on myself. I just wish this would all go away, but it’s not.”
RELATED: NY, NJ, and CT order quarantine for visitors from states with high infection numbers
Doctor debunks mask myths
At first, the public was told not to wear a mask and to save them for the first responders and health care professionals. Now, the public is encouraged to wear them, especially if they can't social distance -- and with that, there has been push back and misinformation online. Dr. Joette Giovinco goes over some of the more prevalent myths about masks -- and whether or not they are true.
If you feel sick:
The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.
LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website
CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know
AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com
Map of known COVID-19 cases:
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