Travel Quarantine Policy

Out of an abundance of caution and to safeguard the health of our Coop community, the General Coordinators implemented the NY State non-essential worker quarantine policy for all paid staff. Why? Returning to work before receiving a negative test results places the Coop community at risk. Completing the steps outlined below qualifies you to opt-out of the mandatory 10-day quarantine.

This policy applies to all staff returning from locations other than CT, MA, NJ, PA, VT.

If your travel is more than 24 hours, you must:

  1. Take a COVID test within 3 days (72 hours) PRIOR to arrival in New York
  2. Quarantine for 3 days upon arrival from the location. Example: I arrive on Monday, I must quarantine Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
  3. Take a COVID test on the fourth day. Using the above example, I would get tested on Friday.
  4. As soon as you receive your test results, please forward them to health@psfc.coop, the email address Ann Herpel and I share.
    1. If both tests come back negative, you may exit quarantine and return to work on your next scheduled day.
    2. If either test result is positive, you will remain under quarantine following the advice of your health care provider. Ann or I will be in touch with you.
  5. Complete the mandatory Traveler Health Form (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory#traveler-health-form) when you arrive in New York regardless of the mode of transportation. The Coop does not require you to provide proof that you’ve completed the form. Please be aware, non-completion of the form can result in financial penalties. To learn more about the mandatory travel health form, click here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

If you are unable to be tested in the location you are visiting prior to returning to New York, you must quarantine for 10 days once you arrive back home regardless of a negative test result obtained during the 10 days.

If your travel is less than 24 hours, you do not need a test prior to departure from the other location and do not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State. However, you must fill out the traveler form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after arrival in New York. As soon as you receive your test results, please forward them to health@psfc.coop.

NY State Quarantine Requirements

New York State issued directions for those required to quarantine. They are included here for your reference:

If you are coming to New York from travel to a non-contiguous state or designated country, and if such travel was for longer than 24 hours outlined above, you are required to quarantine pursuant to the below requirements until you test out or for the full 10 days. The requirements to safely quarantine include:

  • The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the quarters that they have identified as suitable for their quarantine.
  • The individual must be situated in separate quarters with a separate bathroom facility for each individual or family group. Access to a sink with soap, water, and paper towels is necessary. Cleaning supplies (e.g. household cleaning wipes, bleach) must be provided in any shared bathroom.
  • The individual must have a way to self-quarantine from household members as soon as 3 fever or other symptoms develop, in a separate room(s) with a separate door. Given that an exposed person might become ill while sleeping, the exposed person must sleep in a separate bedroom from household members.
  • Food must be delivered to the person’s quarters.
  • Quarters must have a supply of face masks for individuals to put on if they become symptomatic.
  • Garbage must be bagged and left outside for routine pick up. Special handling is not required.
  • A system for temperature and symptom monitoring must be implemented to provide assessment in-place for the quarantined persons in their separate quarters.
  • Nearby medical facilities must be notified if the individual begins to experience more than mild symptoms and may require medical assistance.
  • The quarters must be secure against unauthorized access.

If you have any questions about the new policy, please do not hesitate to ask Lisa Moore or Ann Herpel via health@psfc.coop or speak to either one in person.