What if I go on a trip?

Asymptomatic travelers entering New York from another country, U.S. state, or territory are no longer required to test or quarantine as of April 10, 2021. Quarantine, consistent with the CDC recommendations, is still recommended for all travelers who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from laboratory confirmed COVID-19 during the previous 3 months. Symptomatic travelers must immediately self-isolate and contact the local health department or their healthcare providers to determine if they should seek COVID-19 testing.

All travelers must complete the Traveler Health Form unless the traveler had left New York for less than 24 hours or is coming to New York from a contiguous state. Contiguous states to New York are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Irrespective of quarantine, all travelers must:

  • Monitor symptoms daily from day of arrival in New York through day 14;
  • Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated); and
  • Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.
  • Fully vaccinated is defined as being 2 or more weeks after the final dose (e.g., first for Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, second for Pfizer and Moderna) of the vaccine approved by the FDA or authorized by the FDA for emergency use. Vaccines that are not authorized by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use or approved by the FDA  do not satisfy this definition.
  • Recently recovered is defined as 1) recovered from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by meeting the criteria for discontinuation of isolation, 2) within the 3-month period between date of arrival in New York and either the initial onset of symptoms related to the laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection or, if asymptomatic during the illness, the date of the laboratory confirmed test, and 3) asymptomatic after travel or new exposure.

Travel is defined as travel lasting 24 hours or longer to countries, US territories, or states other than contiguous states (i.e., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont). Travelers must fill out the NYS Department of Health traveler health form

There are generally no quarantine, work furlough, or testing requirements for asymptomatic travelers who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 3 months. Middle Way does adhere to NYS Department of Health recommendations and asks that all unvaccinated travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months get tested 3-5 days after arrival in New York, and that students remain at home until the negative test has been obtained. NYS also asks that unvaccinated travelers consider non-mandated self-quarantine (7 days if tested on day 3-5, otherwise 10 days), and avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe disease for 14 days, regardless of test result.

CDC and NYS recommend delaying international travel until the traveler is fully vaccinated.

    For general inquires contact the call the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065 or Ask a Question.

    To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel guidelines click here or call 1-833-789-0470.

    Individuals may also contact their local department of health.

    Can I come to campus today?

    You must respond no to the following questions:

    • Does your child currently have (or have had in the last 10 days) one or more of these new or worsening symptoms: temperature above 100 degrees F, feeling feverish or chills, cough, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, body aches, headaches, nasal congestion, or runny nose?
    • In the past 14 days has your child traveled outside of the states contiguous to New York; or been designated a contact of a person who tested positive by a local health department?
    • In the past 10 days has your child been tested for the virus that causes COVID-19?
    • If you answered yes to any of these questions, has your child met the criteria to return to campus?

    Can I return to campus now that I have been out? 

    There are various pathways you could return to school based on your situation. Please contact us at [email protected] for guidance relating to your specific situation. Below you will find general guidelines:

    • If your healthcare provider recommends a COVID-19 diagnostic test, please stay home until you receive the results.
      • If the test is positive you must remain in isolation until the local health department releases you, typically after 14 days, with improvement in symptoms, and fever free without medication for at least 72 hours.
      • If the test is negative you can return when your symptoms are improving and you are fever free for at least 24 hours. You will need a doctor’s note confirming the negative test. 
    • If your healthcare provider gives you an alternative diagnosis:
      • You must have a note from your doctor explaining the diagnosis and can return when you meet the guidelines for that diagnosis.
    • If you are recommended to get a COVID-19 diagnostic test and do not get one OR are not given a confirmed alternative diagnosis OR do not visit your healthcare provider:
      • You can return to campus once you have been in isolation and the local health department releases you, typically after 14 days, with improvement in symptoms, and fever free without medication for at least 72 hours.