NEW YORK (US) – With the Northeast witnessing a spurt in coronavirus cases, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut warned their residents not to travel between these states. California said major theme parks, including Disneyland, will not open anytime soon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 300,000 more people had died across the country in 2020 than in a typical year.
Two-thirds of fatalities were caused by coronavirus.
In a joint statement, the Democratic governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut said residents have to “avoid unnecessary or non-essential travel between states at this time.”
However, there will not be quarantine for visitors from neighbouring states, said the governors. New York used to be the early epicentre of the pandemic and had more fatalities than other states. It mandates that travellers from 38 states and two US territories have to undergo quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
The states of Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also meet New York’s criteria for quarantine requirements, said Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The state of California employs a complex colour-coded system to find out which of the 58 counties can be reopened. Health Secretary Mark Ghaly said major theme parks will not reopen anytime soon.
The decision will affect Disneyland, Comcast Corp’s Universal Studios, Legoland and Knott’s Berry Farm, which were all closed in March. The four theme parks are situated in Southern California.