To comply with the travel restrictions of the state of New York pertaining to the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic, the city of New York is enacting random checkpoints throughout the city in order to catch any individual — regardless of whether the individual is staying in the city or simply passing through; and this includes legal residents of the city of New York who have traveled to those other states — who has spent greater than 24 hours in any of the 34 states and Puerto Rico which is on the restricted list of the state of New York within the last 14 days.
New York to Enact Random Checkpoints Throughout the City
The specific locations of exactly where the checkpoints will be located — as well as whether they will remain in static locations versus being moved to different locations around the city — have not been publicly revealed at the time this article was written.
State law in New York requires anyone entering the state who has spent greater than 24 hours in any state on the aforementioned restricted list to:
- Register by completing the New York State Traveler Health Form.
- Quarantine — that is, remain in your home or the place you are staying except for emergencies, to seek medical care, or to leave the state — upon arrival for 14 days from the last day of travel within a state on the restricted list.
- Essential workers coming to work in New York from a restricted state must follow the guidance of the Department of Health of the State of New York.
In addition to Puerto Rico, the 34 states which are currently included on the restricted list at the time this article was written are:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
At the checkpoints — where each person who is stopped is expected to spend only a couple of minutes of his or her time:
- Individuals will be asked whether they have spent more than 24 hours in any State on New York’s Restricted State list in the last 14 days.
- If yes, the individual will be required to complete a New York State Traveler Health Form. The form is available online and can be filled out at the earliest, one day before arrival in New York City, or at the checkpoint. The registration form takes fewer than five minutes to complete; and the individual can avoid that delay by filling out the form online at the earliest, one day before he or she arrives in the city of New York. You should take a screenshot of the confirmation page as proof that you have indeed completed the form.
“These checkpoints are an educational tool designed to ensure travelers understand and comply with New York State’s travel restrictions. Through enormous sacrifice and perseverance, New York City has reduced COVID-19 transmission and positive test rates to among the lowest in the country. We cannot afford to let our guard down now”, according to this official list of frequently asked questions.
As for any individual who does not comply with the law of the state of New York and fails to quarantine or register, “We know that everyone will cooperate in the interest of public health and slowing the spread of COVID-19. However, for truly exceptional cases of noncompliance, pursuant to State law, individuals may be subject to significant fines.”
Other helpful resources include:
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in the State of New York Following Out of State Travel
- New York State 2019 Novel Coronavirus Travel Advisory
- Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel
New York City Has a Sheriff?!?
We have a sherif?
— Sam Senders (@Sam_Senders) August 6, 2020
When one thinks of a sheriff, the first thing which usually comes to mind is the wild west, as the main lawman struts out as he kicks up clouds of dirt while walking the unpaved main street of a small town to round up that them there varmints…
…but that the city of New York has a sheriff is a surprising fact which few people seem to know — and you can find out what are some of the functions of the office of the sheriff of the city of New York, which has been in existence since 1626, when it was established while the Dutch were in control…
…and the current office of the sheriff of the city of New York was formed when the office of the sheriff of all five boroughs were consolidated on January 1, 1942. The office of the sheriff even has its own official Twitter account.
Giddyup.
Reaction
Joseph Fucito — was appointed the 121st sheriff of the city of New York back in June of 2014 — had this to say in this video, which was posted at the official Twitter account of the mayor of the city of New York:
Today, we announced COVID-19 checkpoints at key entry points. @NYCSheriff Fucito joined us to talk about what that means for New Yorkers and visitors to our city.
Learn more: https://t.co/sja6W6Wh6m pic.twitter.com/bp9dXpAcXx
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/kenny42413304/status/1291184655761379328
How about restoring power to people that can’t use AC or are losing food in our refrigerators.
You don’t seem to get it. You should have started checkpoints months ago. And now rolling them back. This is a step backwards and proof that you are incompetent. Resign @BilldeBlasio— KayMack327 (@cmac327) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/Pconzol/status/1291344033520979968
Who is this guy? He’s got more stars on his uniform than an Argentinian fleet admiral? Why is the Sheriffs Dept utilizing civilian members of the NYPD? Something stinks with this operation?
— Pete (@PeteTheCop) August 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/nywxupdates/status/1291184362147512320
Summary
Oh no. Uh uh. Not yet.
I will wait to comment on this new development after I read the comment which you will have posted in the Comments section below.
Photograph ©2007, ©2011, ©2015, and ©2017 by Brian Cohen.