Important Information from Dr. Cook – Travel Advisory Notification

November 16, 2020

Dear Catskill CSD Community:

Please be advised that Governor Cuomo recently revised the State’s position on out-of-state travel and quarantine. New requirements have gone into effect on November 4, 2020. They include the following:

For any travel to New York State from out-of-state, exempting the contiguous states, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14 day quarantine are below:

For travelers (including NYS residents) who were in another state for more than 24 hours

  • Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.
  • The traveler must, upon arrival to New York, quarantine for three days.
  • On Day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

For travelers (including NYS residents) who were in another state for less than 24 hours:

  • The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
  • However, the traveler must fill out a traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

Local health departments will validate the test, if necessary, and if the test comes back positive, will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing.

As stated in previous correspondence, I take the health and safety of our children and staff very seriously. We continue to work closely with the Greene County Department of Public Health and adhere to all of the guidelines, in accordance with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the CDC. I thought it was important to inform you of the District’s expectations as we near the holiday season.

Out-of-state travel is highly discouraged. However, if you do travel out-of- state, please be mindful of the following parameters:

  • Students / families who travel outside of New York State must disclose this information to the school their child attends. Students will not be permitted to return to school until they comply with all testing requirements as outlined above. This is in accordance with Governor Cuomo’s October 31, 2020 COVID-19 Travel Advisory. This includes travel by plane or by ground transportation. This does not include incidental travel (less than 24 hours) or travel to Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

If the New York State travel advisory is modified again, then the District will reexamine its expectations and communicate any revisions accordingly.

Again, the District is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure learning environment. We ask that when you make travel plans out-of-state during the school year, you carefully consider the impact and disruption that your decision may have on our school community-at-large.

In closing, if you have particular questions or concerns, I can be reached at (518) 943-4696. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools

Posted in District.