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SALT LAKE CITY — March seems like it was years ago given all that’s happened in Utah over the past few months. But on March 4, KSL.com launched a Google form for you, the readers, to submit questions you had about COVID-19.
By that point, Utah didn’t have a confirmed case and as it spread in California, New York and Washington, it wasn’t exactly known that the whole country would be turned upside down within the ensuing two weeks. We’ve sifted through more than 2,000 responses since then, answering as many as we can through our Coronavirus Mailbag series. One of the most common themes you’ve asked us about is travel.
The form itself is anonymous so we don’t know who is asking or where they are asking from. But people have asked us whether they should continue their travel plans in Utah, other states and across the globe. And, by all means, who wouldn’t want a vacation right now?
If you plan on traveling, here are some things you should know before you head out.
Quarantine and other restrictions for Utahns
There’s nothing barring you from traveling to any other state in the country but be prepared for quarantine or paperwork in some states.
Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont all have self-quarantine instructions for Utahns coming into the state. Six of those states specifically list Utah among states that trigger a 14-day self-isolation period, while the rest have general rules that Utahns fall under.
Here’s an example of a self-quarantine law. New York’s law says: “All out-of-state travelers from designated states must complete the form upon entering New York. Travelers who leave the airport without completing the form will be subject to a $2,000 fine and may be brought to a hearing and ordered to complete mandatory quarantine. Travelers coming to New York from designated states through other means of transport, including trains and cars, must fill out the form online.”
Hawaii requires anyone traveling from the continental U.S. to self-quarantine for 14 days, as well. In fact, a Salt Lake City man was arrested earlier this month for violating the state’s order. New Mexico requires anyone traveling to its state to self-quarantine for 14 days or for the remainder of their trip if it’s shorter than that.
Aside from New York, New Jersey and the New England states, Maine and Massachusetts require travelers to quarantine. Massachusetts requires a 14-day self-quarantine; Maine requires a 14-day self-quarantine or that a traveler signs a document stating they tested negative within the previous 72 hours.
New Hampshire doesn’t require Utahns to self-quarantine but does ask those traveling from non-New England states to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Kentucky could add Utah in the future if positive test rates increase. The state said residents of states with positive rates 15% or above will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The data was based on Johns Hopkins University data. It listed Utah’s rate at 8.9% — well below the threshold. Neighboring Idaho was added to Kentucky’s mandatory list with a positive rate of 18.59%, as of Wednesday.
Alaska has a mandatory declaration form. Visitors must also either provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, self-quarantine for 14 days or the length of the trip if it’s shorter than that or follows a work plan approved by the state. Travelers must be tested for COVID-19 7-14 days after arriving, regardless if they tested negative before coming to the state.
Looking to travel out of the country? Make sure you can
Interstate travel isn’t the only thing impacted by COVID-19. Taking a trip abroad is even more complicated. For example, the 27 European Union countries agreed to extend its U.S. travel ban last week. The union council states that it reviews the ban every two weeks.
Canada (until at least Aug. 21) and Mexico still have nonessential travel bans that affect U.S. citizens. China, Japan and New Zealand also banned U.S. tourists.
Even if a country accepts tourists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourages nonessential travel outside of the U.S. due to the ongoing COVID-19 threat.
What about instate travel?
At least one person asked how safe it is to travel within Utah. Yes, it very much is but remember, you should check the regulations of every place you’re at — and still follow all safety precautions.
Grand, Salt Lake and Summit counties all require face coverings in public locations, as does Springdale.
As of Wednesday, Beaver, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Kane, Millard, Piute, Uintah and Wayne counties were listed as green in Utah’s recovery dial.
Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Grand, Iron, Juab, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake (aside from Salt Lake City), San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, Washington and Weber counties were all listed as yellow.
Salt Lake City is the only place in Utah still listed as orange.
If you are traveling to any of those spots, make sure to read the guidelines for all three of those color codes.
Returning to Utah
You may recall Utah officials asked residents coming back from high-risk areas to self-quarantine for 14 days back when the pandemic began.
The state no longer requires that and there are no current travel restrictions to Utah or returning to Utah.
No matter where you go, the state health department encourages Utahns to follow all the guidelines you should know by now: wash your hands often, don’t touch objects others frequently touch, wear a mask if you cannot maintain at least 6 feet from other people and don't go anywhere if you aren't feeling well.
