Travelers flying to Texas no longer need to self-quarantine amid COVID, Abbott says
Travelers flying to Texas from certain areas will no longer be required to self-quarantine for two weeks, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday.
Abbott issued an executive order terminating his previous restrictions that mandated 14-day quarantines for travelers flying from California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan or Miami, Florida.
Abbott’s order is effective immediately, and ends any mandatory self-quarantine that was already underway, according to the executive order. The rescinded travel restrictions come amid the second phase of business reopenings in Texas, and one day ahead of bars, bowling alleys, aquariums and more being permitted to reopen at 25% capacity.
In late March, Abbott placed restrictions on people flying to Texas from the tri-state area or the city of New Orleans, as both had been hotspots at the time for the coronavirus’ outbreak in the U.S. Days later, Abbott expanded the list of locations subject to travel restrictions.
Abbott had rescinded his requirements for travelers driving or flying to Texas from Louisiana in late April when he announced a phased reopening of Texas businesses.
The Department of Public Safety had been tasked with enforcing the restrictions, and travelers were required to fill out a form upon their arrival identifying where they would self-quarantine.
During the 14-day quarantine period only physicians or health care providers were allowed to visit the designated quarantine location, and travelers were not allowed to visit public spaces.
People who were traveling for certain “essential” activities were exempt. Although one Denton truck driver said officers had insisted he agree to a mandatory quarantine even though he was an essential worker. He said he was allowed to leave the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after he repeatedly refused.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
