US - Restrictions - Ohio
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 8:49 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Ohio (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Business and travel disruptions
Summary
Officials in Ohio have issued orders to impose a statewide nightly curfew between 2200-0500 from Nov. 19 through at least the morning of Dec. 10 to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The directive requires individuals to remain at home during curfew hours; however, it includes exceptions for those who are working, responding to an emergency, attending to medical needs, or are involved in essential activities, such as purchasing basic goods. Authorities have also issued new orders regarding gathering limits. Social gatherings with more than 10 people remain banned. At wedding receptions or events at banquet facilities, congregating in common areas and dancing are prohibited; all attendees must be seated at tables with a maximum of 10 persons from a single household, and facemasks must be worn at all times, except when eating and drinking.
Other restrictions remain in place. All individuals over the age of 10, except those with medical conditions, must wear facemasks while in indoor public locations, in outdoor settings where social distancing is not possible, and while using public transportation, taxis, or app-based, ride-hailing services. The sale of alcohol after 2200 nightly remains prohibited. Bars and restaurants may operate at full capacity, but social distancing must be enforced, and protective facemasks must be worn by employees and patrons when not eating. Catering and banquet facilities may host no more than 300 people at a time. Museums, zoos, movie theaters, and other indoor entertainment facilities are allowed to open. Office-based businesses, retail stores, personal care businesses, and gyms and fitness centers may also operate.
A travel advisory urging residents to avoid nonessential travel to certain other states remains in effect in Ohio. Per the most recent update, travelers entering from the following states or territories are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival:
- Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Health officials recommend that all persons arriving from other US states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher self-quarantine for two weeks. Ohio's travel advisory list is updated weekly.
Ohio also continues to employ its Health Advisory System to monitor COVID-19 activity and impose additional restrictions in the most affected counties. Under the system, officials divide the counties into four color-coded public emergency levels, with Level 1 (yellow) representing the lowest level of risk of COVID-19 infection and Level 4 (purple) the highest. Several indicators, including the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospital bed availability, are used to assign counties to the appropriate level.
At Level 4, officials require residents to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel; as of Nov. 18, no county in the state is at this level. At Level 3 (red), residents must limit face-to-face interactions and unnecessary travel and avoid gatherings of any size. As of Nov. 18, there are 68 counties at Level 3, including several of the most populated ones in the state: Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Summit, and Montgomery. At Level 2 (orange), residents should avoid anyone considered high-risk, decrease in-person interactions, and maintain social distancing. There are 19 counties at Level 2, including Carroll, Fulton, and Morgan. Noble county is the only jurisdiction that remains at Level 1 (yellow), under which residents should maintain social distancing and avoid travel to high-risk areas.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Resources
World Health Organization COVID-19
Ohio Government - COVID-19 Updates
Ohio Government - Health Advisory System by County
Ohio Government - Travel Advisory
Ohio Government - Responsible Restart Ohio
Ohio Government - Guidelines for Businesses Reopening
US - Restrictions - Pennsylvania
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 4:40 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Pennsylvania (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Travel and business disruptions
Summary
Officials in Pennsylvania have issued orders to require all travelers entering the commonwealth to self-quarantine or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test starting Nov. 20, due to increases in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity.
Under the new directives, travelers entering Pennsylvania from any other US state or territory, or any international destination, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or to have a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to their arrival in the state. If travelers took a test but have not received the results, they must self-quarantine until they have the results. Individuals traveling for work, for medical reasons, military personnel following orders, or people who move through Pennsylvania to a different final destination, are exempt. Officials in the commonwealth had previously been issuing a travel advisory recommending self-quarantine for travelers from multiple destinations; starting Nov. 20, the restrictions are mandatory.
Other statewide restrictions remain unchanged. Restaurants may operate at 50-percent capacity, though they must cease alcohol sales by 2300. Indoor events of more than 25 people and outdoor events of more than 250 people remain banned. Businesses with work-from-home capabilities must allow employees to work remotely. Gyms and fitness centers may continue indoor operations at 50-percent capacity but must prioritize outdoor fitness activities. Personal care businesses and indoor entertainment venues may operate at 50-percent capacity, while other businesses, including retail stores, may operate at 75-percent capacity.
All residents and visitors must wear protective facemasks in all public spaces. All businesses open for in-person services must comply with strict social distancing and hygiene mandates. Most outdoor recreational facilities are permitted to operate. Indoor events must be limited depending on the venues' capacity: venues for up to 2,000 people may allow 20-percent capacity; venues for up to 10,000 people may allow 15-percent capacity, and venues for more than 10,000 people may allow 10-percent capacity and a maximum of 3,750 people.
Local officials have the authority to tighten restrictions if they consider it necessary. Additional local business restrictions and limitations on public gatherings remain in force in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Resources
World Health Organization COVID-19 Knowledge Base
Pennsylvania - COVID-19 Updates
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Restrictions
Pennsylvania - Travel Restrictions
Plan to Reopen Pennsylvania
US - Restrictions - Connecticut
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 3:56 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Connecticut (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Travel restrictions and business disruptions
Summary
As of Nov. 18, authorities in Connecticut issued an update to the list of states and territories from which travelers are subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival, as part of the ongoing efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Per the most recent update of its travel restrictions, officials added Maine and New Hampshire to the list.
As of Nov. 18, all individuals entering Connecticut from the following states and territories must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
As officials regularly update the list, it could change weekly to include all states having positive COVID-19 test rates higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or positivity rates of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average. This quarantine requirement also applies to anyone arriving from a country with a Level 3 US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) health notice. Officials will not subject travelers from New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island to the restrictions.
Additionally, officials are maintaining business and group gathering restrictions as part of Phase 2.1 of its economic recovery plan, which went into effect Nov. 6. Under these guidelines, restaurants can operate at 50-percent capacity with a maximum of eight people per table. Restaurants and other entertainment venues, including movie theaters and bowling alleys, must close nightly by 2130; takeaway and pick up services at restaurants are exempt. Personal care services may continue operating at 75-percent capacity, and bars and nightclubs must continue to remain closed. Event venues can open for only 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors while performing art venues and movie theaters can host up to 100 people. Private gatherings at residences are to be limited to 10 people. Religious ceremonies are limited to 50-percent capacity or a maximum of 100 people.
Establishments that can operate must comply with strict mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19, including adherence to social-distancing guidelines and enhanced sanitation procedures, among other requirements. Municipal governments are allowed to implement tighter restrictions if COVID-19 activity levels continue rising.
Individuals must wear protective facemasks when in public and unable to comply with social-distancing guidelines. Fines for violating the mask order will be USD 100; fines for organizing an event that exceeds gathering limits will be USD 500. Participants in events that exceed size limits could be issued a fine of USD 250.
Authorities have also issued a statewide advisory, recommending individuals to limit all nonessential trips outside of their homes between 2200-0500. Additionally, officials in Connecticut maintain a three-tier COVID-19 Alert Map to recommend specific actions for municipalities with higher rates of COVID-19 infections. The map goes from yellow, the lowest risk level, to red, the highest risk level. As of Nov. 18, there are 100 municipalities in red, including Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven. In municipalities at the red risk level, individuals are advised to limit trips outside their homes, avoid gatherings, cancel public events, and postpone all indoor activities.
Business disruptions remain likely. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Government of Connecticut - COVID-19 Updates
Government of Connecticut - Travel Restrictions
US - Restrictions - New Jersey
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 2:57 PM
Incident: COVID-19 Restrictions
Location(s): New Jersey (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Travel restrictions and business disruptions
Summary
As of Nov. 18, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has issued orders to reduce gathering limits due to increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity.
Under the new directives, indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, except for events such as weddings, funerals, and religious and political activities, which will continue to be limited at 25-percent of a room's capacity or a maximum of 150 people. Indoor sporting competitions may also surpass the 10-person limit, but only for the individuals involved in the event. Starting Nov. 23, outdoor gatherings of more than 150 people will be banned, except for weddings, funerals, and religious and political activities, which have no specific capacity limit outdoors.
Other statewide restrictions remain unchanged. Restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, and other businesses that serve food or drinks must close their indoor premises 2200-0500. Outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery services can continue after 2200. Casinos will also not be able to serve food or drinks 2200-0500, except for room service takeout. Additionally, all interstate games and tournaments involving indoor sports, up to and including the high school level, will be prohibited. Collegiate and professional sports will be not be affected.
Retail businesses, malls, and food and beverage establishments may operate at 50-percent capacity. Gyms, fitness centers, personal care services, indoor recreational facilities, and casinos may operate at 25-percent capacity. Recreational and entertainment businesses, including outdoor and indoor amusement parks and water parks, may operate at 50-percent capacity for outdoor areas and 25-percent for indoor premises. All businesses must ensure compliance with social-distancing standards, enhance sanitation procedures, and provide employees with any necessary personal protective equipment. Officials have also ordered residents to wear protective facemasks in all indoor public spaces and outdoor settings whenever compliance with social distancing measures is not possible.
New Jersey officials are also maintaining the ongoing COVID-19-related travel advisory. Travelers arriving from states or territories on New Jersey's travel advisory list are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. As of the most recent update Nov. 17, authorities recommend that all individuals entering New Jersey from the following states and territories self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Even though Connecticut, Delaware, and Pennsylvania meet the criteria to be added to the list, they will not be added due to their connections with New Jersey. Nonessential travel outside the state is not advised. According to the advisory, self-isolation remains voluntary; however, compliance is expected by the authorities. Hotels in New Jersey have been asked to notify any guests arriving from affected states that they should comply with the instruction. Business travelers, critical workers, and seasonal migrant farmworkers are exempt from these measures. The list of states is updated weekly to ensure it includes all states with positive COVID-19 test rates higher than 10 per 100,000 inhabitants or positivity rates of 10 percent or higher over a seven-day average.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Resources
World Health Organization COVID-19 Knowledge Base
Government of New Jersey - COVID-19 Information
Government of New Jersey - Reopening Plan
Government of New Jersey - Travel Restrictions
Ukraine - Restrictions - Nationwide
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 8:35 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Nationwide (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Travel and business disruptions
Summary
Authorities in Ukraine are maintaining nationwide 48-hour curfews each weekend until Nov. 30 as part of efforts to control increasing rates of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. The curfew is in place from 0001 Saturdays until 0001 Mondays. Nonessential businesses and facilities must close during curfew hours; however, critical services, including public transport, banks, grocery stores, and pharmacies, may continue to operate. Restaurants are limited to takeout services only.
Additionally, Ukraine's adaptive quarantine regime remains in effect as of Nov. 18. Under the system, all regions are classified as one of four color-coded zones - green, yellow, orange, or red - depending on the volume of COVID-19 testing, local morbidity rates, and the capacity of local hospitals. The system will remain in use until at least Dec. 31. Regional zone designations are available on the Ukrainian Government's Coronavirus Hub. As of Nov. 18 all regions are designated as either red or orange zones.
Red zones have the most stringent restrictions. Public transport has been suspended in these areas; passengers may disembark from regional buses and trains but may not board. Additionally, shopping malls, catering establishments, educational institutions, fitness centers, and sports facilities have been closed. Public gatherings are banned.
In orange zones, hotels may operate, but other forms of short-term lodging are prohibited. Entertainment venues, restaurants, fitness centers, and cultural institutions are closed. Scheduled nonemergency medical procedures have been suspended. Outdoor gatherings may not exceed 20 attendees.
Several other restrictive measures continue to apply nationwide. Persons from different households must adhere to social distancing of at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) while in public. Facemasks are mandatory in public, including on public transport, in public buildings, and in crowded indoor spaces. Public gatherings are permitted but may not exceed one person per five square meters (54 square feet) and all attendees must observe social distancing. Restaurants and cafes must enforce social distancing requirements and may not operate after 2200. Cinemas may not exceed 50-percent capacity. Most nonessential businesses have reopened, including retailers, hotels, spas, leisure facilities, and cultural venues. All higher education institutions have implemented distance learning through at least Nov. 30.
Foreigners are allowed to enter Ukraine, provided they have proof of traveler's insurance that covers the cost of COVID-19 observation and treatment. The traveler's insurance must be issued by a company in Ukraine or an international insurance company with representation or a partnership in Ukraine. Foreigners and stateless persons who permanently reside in Ukraine, refugees, and diplomats are exempt from the requirement.
All arrivals from countries that have high COVID-19 infection rates must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival; persons in possession of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival, as well as diplomats, representatives of foreign organizations, students, international freight truck drivers, and aircraft and vessel crew members, are exempt. Ukraine has categorized foreign countries of origin into "green" and "red" classifications. Green countries are those in which the number of COVID-19 cases is fewer than 40 per 100,000, while red countries have higher case rates; travelers from green countries are exempt from self-isolation upon entry.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Resources
Ukraine Coronavirus Hub
Adaptive Quarantine Map of Regional Zone Designations
Countries by Infection Rates
World Health Organization (WHO)
Mexico - Restrictions - Nationwide
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 18 November 2020, 6:47 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Nationwide (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Business and travel disruptions
Summary
Mexico has tightened restrictions in three of the nation's 31 states, while easing them in one through at least Nov. 22 as part of the nation's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The Mexican government uses a four-tier, color-coded system ranging from the lowest risk "green" level to the highest risk "red" level, which enables authorities to monitor disease activity at the state level and implement localized restrictions accordingly. Three states that had previously been at the yellow level (second-lowest risk) - Guanajuato, Sonora, and Sinaloa - have been moved up to the orange level. The state of Quintana Roo, on the other hand, has seen a drop in infection rates and transitioned from the orange to the yellow level.
At the green level, authorities allow all businesses and activities to operate, while urging residents to maintain social distancing and take enhanced health measures. In-person lessons in schools may resume as well. The state of Campeche will be at the green level until at least Nov. 22.
At the yellow level, authorities allow nonessential businesses to operate with more liberal capacity restrictions than at the orange level, depending on the sector and/or regional government's specifications. Restaurants, personal care services, and lodging businesses may operate at 50-percent capacity. Cinemas, theaters, cultural facilities, malls, public parks, places of worship, and professional sports and gyms may operate at 35-percent capacity. The following states are at the yellow level until at least Nov. 22:
Chiapas, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz
At the orange level, authorities allow nonessential businesses to open with capacity limits. Markets and supermarkets can operate at up to 75-percent capacity. Lodging businesses, restaurants, and personal care services can resume operations at a reduced 60-percent capacity. Shopping malls, places of worship, cinemas, theaters, museums, and cultural events are limited to 25-percent capacity. The following states are at the orange level until at least Nov. 22:
Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Colima, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Yucatan, and Zacatecas
Only essential businesses and services may operate in states designated in the red category. Hotels are only available to critical workers and occupancy is limited to 25 percent. Parks may open at 25-percent capacity. Residents are encouraged to remain inside their homes, except to perform essential tasks. Residents must wear protective face coverings whenever in public. The following states are at the red level until at least Nov. 22: Chihuahua, Durango
The current closure of Mexico's land border with the US for all nonessential travel remains in effect through at least Nov. 21. Recreational boat travel also remains banned. The measure has been in place since March under a mutual agreement between the two countries. Cargo transport between the two countries is exempt. Officials in Mexico continue to advise residents to avoid all international travel.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Background and Analysis
The measures taken by authorities in Mexico are similar to actions taken by other governments globally in response to the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic March 11.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Mexico Department of Health - COVID-19 Updates
Mexico City Government - COVID-19 Updates
Advice
Heed the directives of the authorities. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.