Travel Rules In California: Non-Essential Trips Allowed?

As of December 2020, California had a statewide travel advisory in place, which applied to both visitors and returning residents. The advisory strongly recommended a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone arriving in California for non-essential travel, including tourism and recreation. While not mandatory, quarantine was encouraged for all out-of-state visitors and returning residents.

Non-essential travel restrictions in California were introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19

California's non-essential travel restrictions were introduced in December 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The state was experiencing a surge in cases, threatening to overwhelm hospitals. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a regional stay-at-home order, which would be triggered when a region's intensive care unit (ICU) capacity dropped below 15%. This order came into effect on December 3, 2020, and applied to specific areas of California, with the goal of reducing community transmission and protecting the state's healthcare system.

The restrictions varied depending on the region and the ICU capacity. In regions with less than 15% ICU capacity, stricter measures were implemented. These included the closure of bars, indoor and outdoor dining, personal care services, hair salons, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, museums, zoos, and family entertainment centres. Additionally, all non-essential travel was restricted statewide, and private gatherings of any size were prohibited.

The regional stay-at-home order was designed to be flexible, with each region's restrictions being assessed on a weekly basis. After the initial three-week period, the restrictions would be lifted when a region's ICU capacity was projected to meet or exceed 15% within four weeks.

To further curb the spread of COVID-19, California also implemented a statewide travel advisory effective November 13, 2020. This advisory recommended a 14-day self-quarantine for individuals arriving in California for non-essential travel, including tourism and recreation. Californians were also encouraged to stay within their local areas and avoid non-essential travel as much as possible.

The state was divided into five regions, each comprising several counties: Bay Area, Northern California, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California. By December 7, 2020, two of these regions, the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, had already implemented the stay-at-home order due to their ICU capacity falling below the 15% threshold.

The restrictions had a significant impact on local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism industries. Hotels and vacation rental operators struggled to navigate the guidelines, and businesses that relied on tourism, such as ski resorts and local shops, experienced a decrease in revenue.

A 14-day self-quarantine is recommended for non-essential travel to California

As of December 2020, California has a statewide travel advisory in effect that recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone arriving in California for non-essential travel, including tourism and recreation. This advisory applies to both visitors and returning California residents. Those who are self-quarantining should only interact with their immediate household.

The advisory also encourages Californians to stay at home as much as possible and to stay within their area when travel is necessary. In heavily affected areas, hotels will only offer stays for non-essential travel beyond the 14-day quarantine period.

Those who are travelling for essential reasons, even across state borders, are exempt from the self-quarantine requirement. Essential travel includes work and study.

Californians are encouraged to stay in their area to limit the potential spread of COVID-19

Californians Encouraged to Stay Home

The Regional Stay-at-Home Order

The regional stay-at-home order came into effect on December 3, 2020. This order applies to specific areas of California, with regions that have less than 15% ICU bed capacity facing stricter restrictions. Counties below the 15% threshold must follow the guidelines for at least three weeks. After the initial three weeks, the region's situation will be assessed weekly, and the restrictions will be lifted once the capacity reaches or exceeds the 15% threshold.

Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel

Under the regional stay-at-home order, non-essential travel is prohibited. Californians are encouraged to stay within their area and avoid non-essential travel as much as possible. A 14-day self-quarantine is strongly recommended for those who do travel for non-essential reasons, and they are only permitted to interact with their immediate household during this period.

Quarantine Guidelines

While quarantine is not mandatory for incoming visitors or returning residents, it is strongly recommended. Those who travel for essential reasons, even across state borders, are exempt from the quarantine requirement but are expected to practice social distancing and wear masks at all times.

Impact on Businesses

The regional stay-at-home order has resulted in the closure of various non-essential businesses, including indoor and outdoor playgrounds, bars, breweries, distilleries, museums, zoos, aquariums, cinemas, and family entertainment centers. Restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery services only.

Outdoor Exercise

Outdoor exercise is still permitted under the order, but individuals can only participate with members of their own household.

By encouraging Californians to stay within their areas and avoid non-essential travel, the state aims to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of its residents.

Hotels in California are open but with restrictions, including a ban on non-essential travel bookings

As of December 2020, hotels in California are open but with restrictions in place. A statewide travel advisory effective from November 13, 2020, recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone arriving in California for non-essential travel reasons, including tourism and recreation. This recommendation also applies to returning California residents.

In highly impacted regions, hotels will only offer stays for non-essential travel that exceeds the 14-day quarantine period. Those travelling for essential reasons, even across state lines, are exempt from the self-quarantine requirement.

According to the California State Government website, hotels in affected counties:

> cannot accept or honor out-of-state reservations for non-essential travel, unless the reservation is for at least the minimum time period required for quarantine and the persons identified in the reservation will quarantine in the hotel or lodging entity until after that time period has expired.

Hotels under a regional travel advisory may only offer lodging for essential workers, COVID-19 mitigation, and providing housing solutions, including to the homeless population.

Essential travel is allowed in California, including for work and study

California has a statewide travel advisory that recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone arriving in the state for non-essential travel reasons, including tourism and recreation. However, this self-quarantine requirement does not apply to those travelling for essential reasons, even across state borders. Essential travel purposes include work and study, so travel for these reasons is allowed in California.

In addition to the statewide travel advisory, California also implemented a regional stay-at-home order that came into effect on December 3, 2020. This order applies to specific areas of California with less than 15% ICU bed capacity. Under this order, non-essential travel is prohibited, and private gatherings of any size are banned. The regional stay-at-home order is set to last for at least 3 weeks and will be reassessed on a weekly basis after that.

While the statewide travel advisory recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for non-essential travellers, it is not mandatory. However, quarantine is strongly recommended for all out-of-state visitors and returning residents as of November 21, 2020. Californians travelling within the state are expected to stay in their area and avoid non-essential travel as much as possible, but quarantine is not necessary when travelling between areas of the state.

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