Driving from the south towards the tri-state quarantine

June 27, 2020 2:14 PM

I need to drive from a southern state* to CT in the next two weeks for Reasons. I got the COVID19 antibody test this week and I tested negative for antibodies. I plan to do a drive-through COVID19 active infection test, and then leave as soon as I get results confirming I don't have an active infection. I plan to quarantine for the entire time I'm at my destination. I'm driving a car with North Carolina plates and I'm really anxious about getting stopped along the way, either in NY or CT, by police enforcing the tri-state quarantine. What happens when/if I get pulled over? Is there any chance they will tell me I simply can't enter the state or to turn around? Is there any chance I'll get stuck in CT and be unable to return home?

*My state is on the list of COVID hotspots.

I'm aware of the fact I'm exactly the demographic that the state doesn't want coming in, but not going is not an option. So, I'm mostly interested in anecdotes about what might happen on my trip, rather than *don't go* directives.

posted by tealcoffeecup to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total)

People are still able to fly in, the only sign of the quarantine is apparently a stern PA announcement.
posted by BungaDunga at 2:33 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

They are not restricting entry to the tri-state area, they are only requiring travelers to quarantine for 14 days. As of right now there is no enforcement of the quarantine order. (But you should absolutely quarantine if possible, or at least reduce contact with other humans to the absolute minimum.)

Re: whether you will get stuck and unable to return -- as with anything COVID-related, hard to predict how regulations will change, but given that the infection rates outside the tri-state area are higher than inside, it seems highly unlikely that any government would prevent you from leaving.
posted by mekily at 2:38 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

judging by the fact my mom keeps seeing a ton of MA plates of people driving down for the public beach near her (south-eastern CT) I suspect as of now they're not going to restrict out of towners? Might be different for hotspot states, but... from what I've heard from her, CT has done a pretty cautious job in reopening and seems to be doing ok.

Good luck!
posted by actionpact at 3:08 PM on June 27, 2020

Connecticut has a good state government portal, and the coronavirus section is updated regularly. Here is the page about the travel advisory.
posted by gnomeloaf at 4:42 PM on June 27, 2020

I am a NY resident with a relative who lives in NC who came to visit yesterday (Friday). There was no restriction on entering whatsoever. They are asked/required to quarantine for 14 days. They are planning on being with me for 4 days and heading back to NC. They will not leave my house during those 4 days except to sit in the yard.

They drove up 95 to the NJTP to the George to the Deagan to the Thruway to the Saw Mill. Were not stopped and were not even looked at funny.

The only request this NYer has is to drive on the right, pass on the left. Slow folks in the left lane are a traffic issue here.
posted by AugustWest at 10:21 PM on June 27, 2020

Based on my neighbors' parents with Florida plates driving around my New York area every day without problems, I don't think it will be an issue.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:58 AM on June 29, 2020