New York Department of Health starts enforcing COVID-19 travel order at Syracuse airport

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — New York State-designated enforcement teams have begun meeting arriving passengers at Syracuse Hancock International Airport to request proof of completion of the now required Department of Health (DOH) contact-information form.

Travelers arriving from designated states with high rates of COVID-19 spread are required to provide their contact information on that DOH form upon arrival at all airports in New York state.

A new emergency health order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo says those failing to provide this information are subject to a $2,000 fine and may be brought to a hearing and ordered to complete mandatory quarantine.

“Although this order may be perceived as an inconvenience to visitors arriving in Syracuse, the airport is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment,” Jason Terreri, Syracuse Hancock International Airport executive director, said in a statement.

This health order is a result of the COVID-19 travel advisory that went into effect on June 25. It requires travelers arriving from designated states with high communitywide spread of COVID-19 to enter into a 14-day self-quarantine.

As of now, 22 states meet the criteria for required quarantine based upon a seven-day rolling average of positive tests in excess of 10 percent, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents.