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Student Quarantine Requirements and Out-of-State Travel

Andrew Bruso

The following message was sent to students on July 24, 2020 and *updated on July 31, 2020.

First, thank you for your patience as we continue to prepare for your return to campus in August. We understand the current landscape can be challenging, but we are adapting with the changes and can’t wait to welcome you back.

As we have previously announced, the College is requiring all new and returning students to quarantine for seven days prior to coming to campus, as part of our effort to keep our community safe this fall.

As you may have heard, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a travel advisory that requires people traveling to New York from outside the U.S., or from U.S. states with high community transmission of COVID-19, to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in New York.

All SUNY New Paltz students who are returning to campus from any of the areas identified in the travel advisory must comply with the requirement to quarantine for the extended period of 14 days upon arrival in New York.

Additionally, students who have traveled to areas identified in the advisory will be required to fill out two forms, one for New York State and another for the SUNY New Paltz Student Health Service, prior to their arrival on campus.

The list of states on the New York travel advisory is subject to change by the Governor’s office as the spread of the virus changes. *List updated as of July 31, 2020. 

For students who have traveled to areas on this travel advisory, we have outlined options below to assist you in planning for the fall semester.

Students in residential housing:

  • Option 1: You can complete your 14-day quarantine prior to your arrival on campus, anywhere in New York or in any other U.S. state that is not listed on the travel advisory (e.g., staying with a relative or friend). If the state you elect to quarantine in is added to the Governor’s travel advisory list while you are there, your quarantine will reset and you will need to begin a new 14-day quarantine upon arrival in New York. During your quarantine, you will also be required to fill out a daily health screening using an online app; more information about that app will be provided soon.
  • Option 2: Resident students who are unable to quarantine off campus can choose to quarantine for 14 days in Awosting Hall, which has been designated as the College’s quarantine location for the fall semester. Students must apply for this option by contacting the Office of Residence Life at (845) 257-4444. Food will be delivered to students living in Awosting Hall; charges for food delivery will apply ($30/day). Students quarantining in Awosting Hall must arrive no later than Aug. 10 and no earlier than Aug. 2. During your quarantine, you will also be required to fill out a daily health screening using an online app; more information about that app will be provided soon.
  • Option 3: Students can also choose to wait until their home state (or the state they were in prior to coming to New York) comes off of the New York Travel Advisory list. SUNY New Paltz will work to arrange move-in dates after the start of the semester for both domestic and international students who are unable to arrive before classes begin on Aug. 24.

Students living off campus:

  • Option 1: You can quarantine in your off-campus residence. Keep in mind you must begin your quarantine by Aug. 10 in order to fulfill the 14-day requirement in time for the beginning of classes on Aug. 24. During your quarantine, you will also be required to fill out a daily health screening using an online app; more information about that app will be provided soon.
  • Option 2: You can complete your 14-day quarantine anywhere in New York or in any other U.S. state that is not listed on the travel advisory (e.g., staying with a relative or friend). Keep in mind you must begin your quarantine by Aug. 10 in order to fulfill the 14-day requirement in time for the beginning of classes on Aug. 24. If the state you elect to quarantine in is added to the Governor’s travel advisory list while you are there, your quarantine will reset and you will need to begin a new 14-day quarantine upon arrival in New York. During your quarantine, you will also be required to fill out a daily health screening using an online app; more information about that app will be provided soon.
  • Option 3: Students can also choose to wait until their home state (or the state were in prior to coming to New York) comes off of the New York Travel Advisory list.

SUNY New Paltz will work to accommodate students who may miss classes or other academic obligations due to delays related to the mandatory quarantine. We thank all our students in advance for their patience and cooperation as we work together through these challenges.

We also encourage students to take the time to get familiar with the New Paltz Forward Reopening Plan and related Frequently Asked Questions. We are updating these resources regularly and ask that all community members continue checking them for the latest guidance and information. Together, we will keep moving forward.