On December 4, 2020, the New Jersey Department of Health updated its restriction guidelines on self-quarantining after out-of-state travel. This guidance was published on New Jersey’s COVID-19 information hub on December 7, 2020. The updated guidance follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recently updated recommendations on self-quarantining periods. The new guidance, as contained on the COVID-19 information hub, provides the following.

New Jersey Travel Restriction Guidelines

New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time.

Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or another temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC:

• If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip
• If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time
• If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel
• If testing is not available or if the results are delayed, travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel

Increased Risk of COVID-19 Spread

The advisory is no longer specific to certain states. Because of the rising number of case counts across all states, there is an increased risk of spread of COVID-19 upon return from any travel.

Self-quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected. Travelers arriving from areas with increasing COVID-19 cases may wish to postpone their travel to the region if they are unwilling or unable to follow the quarantine advisory.