New Jersey's Quarantine-Free Travel: Understanding The Rules

As of May 11, 2023, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey, and the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended. However, the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (NJTT) is still actively managing COVID-19 developments in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health, and the latest guidance on protocols, rules, and safe gatherings in New Jersey can be found on the COVID-19 Info Hub. While there is no longer a mandatory quarantine requirement for travellers to New Jersey, the CDC recommends delaying travel until individuals are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, and travellers are encouraged to follow CDC protocols regarding quarantine and testing following domestic travel.

As of May 11, 2023, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the US or New Jersey

As of May 11, 2023, the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended, and there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey. This means that travellers do not need to present proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results when entering the country or state. However, it is important to note that the CDC still recommends delaying travel until individuals are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, before travelling internationally, it is advised to check the COVID-19 situation in your destination country and follow any requirements, such as mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine.

While there are no specific vaccination or testing requirements to enter New Jersey, the state has had travel restrictions and recommendations in place in the past. For example, in November 2020, New Jersey implemented a travel advisory, which included a 14-day quarantine and testing recommendation for individuals travelling from certain states with high COVID-19 case rates. This advisory was updated weekly and included a list of states and territories deemed COVID-19 hotspots. However, as of May 17, 2021, the New Jersey travel advisory was lifted, and there are currently no state-wide quarantine requirements for travellers to New Jersey.

It is worth noting that individual counties or local entities in New Jersey may have their own quarantine policies or recommendations for individuals returning from travel. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your specific destination and transportation carrier (e.g. airline, cruise ship, etc.) to see if there are any additional health and safety protocols or requirements in place. Additionally, travellers should also check with their employers, schools, or other entities that may have their own quarantine policies.

While there may not be specific quarantine requirements, the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health provide recommendations and guidance for safe travel within the United States and internationally. These recommendations may include mask-wearing, social distancing, and other preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is important for travellers to stay informed about the latest COVID-19 news and updates from official sources, such as the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health, to ensure they are following the most up-to-date guidance.

The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

As of May 11, 2023, there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey. However, the CDC recommends delaying travel until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. This is especially important if you are travelling internationally, as you will need to follow the requirements of your destination country, which may include mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine.

Before travelling, it is important to check the COVID-19 situation in your destination country and to be aware of any requirements that may be in place. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been recommended to isolate, you should not travel. In New Jersey, face masks are no longer required in most outdoor and indoor settings. However, the Department of Health recommends wearing a face mask if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or live in an area with elevated or "high" COVID community levels.

If you are leaving New Jersey, it is important to check with your destination and transportation carrier (such as an airline or cruise ship) to see if there are any additional health and safety protocols or requirements in place. Additionally, travellers should check with their employers, schools, and other entities that may have quarantine policies for individuals returning from travel.

By following the CDC's guidance for domestic and international travel, travellers can help ensure their own safety and the safety of others while travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is an important part of this, as it can help reduce the risk of severe illness and slow the spread of the virus. Therefore, delaying travel until you are up to date with your vaccines is a responsible decision that can help protect yourself and others.

New Jersey's travel advisory outlined quarantine and testing recommendations for residents and visitors

As of May 11, 2023, there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey. The federal public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended. However, the state of New Jersey still has travel recommendations in place.

New Jersey's travel advisory previously outlined quarantine and testing recommendations for residents and visitors to the state following interstate travel. The advisory included a list of states and territories considered hotspots for COVID-19, which was updated weekly. Places were deemed hotspots if they had a positive test rate higher than 10 per 10,000 residents or a 10% or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average. As of November 18, 2020, all states except Hawaii and Washington, D.C., met the criteria for the travel advisory.

The travel advisory recommended a 14-day quarantine for individuals travelling from these hotspots, but this was not mandatory and no fines were established for non-compliance. Instead, officials asked people to practice "personal responsibility". People flying into New Jersey were asked to fill out an electronic survey with information about their travel and destination, which was then sent to county health departments. The health departments would then call the traveler to request self-quarantine and provide information on COVID-19 testing.

As of May 17, 2021, the travel advisory was lifted, and residents and visitors are now encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) protocols regarding quarantine and testing following domestic travel. The CDC recommends delaying travel until individuals are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. International travel is still governed by the CDC's protocols and guidance.

The travel advisory list is updated weekly

As of May 11, 2023, there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey. However, the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (NJTT) actively manages developments related to COVID-19, working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health. The state's COVID-19 Information Hub provides the latest guidance on protocols, rules, and details for safe gatherings in New Jersey.

While there are no longer any COVID-19 entry requirements for New Jersey, travelers are encouraged to follow travel recommendations from the CDC. The CDC recommends delaying travel until individuals are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Before traveling internationally, it is important to check the COVID-19 situation in your destination country and follow any requirements, such as mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine. Additionally, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been recommended to isolate should refrain from traveling.

In New Jersey, face masks are no longer mandated in most outdoor and indoor settings. However, the Department of Health recommends wearing a face mask if individuals have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive, were recently exposed, or live in a county with elevated or "high" COVID-19 community levels.

The travel advisory list, which outlines quarantine and testing recommendations for residents and visitors to New Jersey, is updated weekly. As of November 18, 2020, only Hawaii and Washington, D.C., did not meet the criteria for the travel advisory. While neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware met the criteria, they were exempt from the advisory.

People flying into New Jersey are asked to fill out an electronic survey

As of May 11, 2023, there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the United States or New Jersey. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, people flying into New Jersey were asked to fill out an electronic survey. This was announced by the state Health Commissioner, Judith Persichilli, on July 17, 2020, and was to begin on the following Monday, July 20.

The survey was introduced as New Jersey, along with New York and Connecticut, called for travelers arriving from coronavirus hotspots to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days. Airlines were to announce the quarantine advisory and survey information to travelers before their departure for New Jersey and during their flight. The survey was to be accessible by texting "NJTRAVEL" to 898211, visiting covid19.nj.gov/njtravel, or scanning a QR code on posters displayed at airports.

The electronic survey collected information on the traveler's origin, residence, and destination. This information was then passed on to the relevant county health departments, who would contact the traveler to remind them of the voluntary self-quarantine request and provide information on COVID-19 testing. The survey was not mandatory, but compliance was expected, with Health Commissioner Persichilli emphasizing the importance of personal accountability in preventing community outbreaks in the state.

At the time, New Jersey's rate of transmission had risen above the key benchmark of 1, indicating that, on average, each newly infected individual was passing the virus to at least one other person. This rise was attributed to various factors, including indoor gatherings, outbreaks in long-term care facilities, and incoming travelers from other states. The survey aimed to help manage the spread of COVID-19 and encourage travelers to follow recommended quarantine guidelines.

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