New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is asking New Yorkers to refrain from traveling during the upcoming holiday season, Politico reports.
As the city tries to stave off a second wave of the coronavirus, de Blasio is asking residents to stay home over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“I hate to say it, but I have to urge all New Yorkers: Do not travel out of state for the holidays,” de Blasio said Tuesday. “Realize that by doing that, unfortunately, you could be putting yourself and your family in danger.”
Overall, the state’s infection rate is lower than most of the country. But Brooklyn and Queens have experienced an uptick in new virus cases, according to Politico. Some neighborhoods seeing a spike in cases have been shutdown under state orders.
He said New York City will increase its enforcement of rules that require travelers entering the state from high-risk areas to quarantine for two weeks.
De Blasio also called on the federal government to require travelers to present proof of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of boarding an airplane. He added that the city will work with the state to boost testing at LaGuardia and JFK airports so travelers can get tested.
“You’re absolutely going to see a lot more enforcement,” de Blasio said. “I think people have gotten the message that quarantine matters, but I think they need to get the message that if they violate quarantine, there will be consequences.”
Currently, the city has roving checkpoints that require people entering the state by car to complete a travel registration form. The New York Post reports that only one person has been fined for not following the mandatory quarantine protocol.
The mayor said he will forgo his holiday plans to visit family and will say in the city instead.
“We’re going to feel that pull to want to be with our families, want to be with our loved ones. We’re going to feel that pull to do what we would do in a normal year. But it’s not a normal year,” de Blasio said.
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