December 22nd, Governor Cuomo of New York announced new measures against British tourists, requiring British flights to provide tourists with negative COVID-19 tests.
According to the New York Times, Cuomo announced that several British airlines have agreed to provide negative COVID-19 certificates for passengers flying from the United Kingdom to New York.
The test requirements will take effect on the 22nd and the test results must be provided within 72 hours before boarding the plane. “I’m just a governor, but I’m going to do whatever I can to protect the people of New York,” Cuomo said. “I know, my gut is right, and that’s another disaster that’s about to happen.”
In addition, Washington Governor Inslee also ordered a 14-day quarantine for tourists from the United Kingdom and South Africa on the 21st. Inslee said he hopes these rules will help limit the spread of the mutant virus, which is a warning that the United States may still be months away from ending the worst phase of the epidemic.
“This is a reminder of the uncertainty and unpredictability of this pandemic,” Inslee said.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the U.S. government to take further restrictions.
“In my opinion, it is time to impose a travel ban on Europe, or at least one requirement that anyone who boards the plane must provide test results if they are from Europe. Proof of negativeness.’
