Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionWhy is quarantine after travel outside of Pennsylvania being recommended? What does it mean?
Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
How does travel quarantine differ from other quarantining recommendations?
Travel Quarantine is a term defined as the separation and restriction of movement of individuals who traveled outside of the commonwealth to see if they become sick or while they are awaiting the results of a SARS-CoV2(COVID-19) test. The length of a travel quarantine can vary, based on the number of days until the employee receives test results, develops symptoms, or has quarantined for the number of days recommended by the CDC following exposure to COVID-19.
Why are specific states no longer identified? Why must travel outside of Pennsylvania result in a quarantine?
COVID-19 case counts in ALL states are increasing significantly. This causes an increased risk of spreading COVID-19 when residents travel outside the state or visitors travel into the state. Because of this increased risk nationwide, a negative test result or travel quarantine for all travel from out of state is now required.
What is considered travel outside of Pennsylvania? What if I am just passing through or stopping for fuel?
Travel to outside of Pennsylvania occurs any time a person crosses into another state via air travel, public transit, personal vehicle, ride shares or taxis, and interacts with individuals in the other state.
There is an exception in the order for individuals traveling through Pennsylvania in transit to another destination, provided that the time spent in Pennsylvania is only the amount of time necessary to complete the transit, make use of travel services, such as highway rest stop, or make necessary travel connections. Travelers who are returning to Pennsylvania after spending less than 24 hours outside of state are also exempt. However, the CDC advises that making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces. While the order does not require persons to test or travel quarantine if they are traveling through the state, traveling into the state for purpose of making connections for additional travel, or those who spent less than 24 hours outside the state, this does not mean a person should not consider obtaining a test or travel quarantining under these circumstances.
How does the order to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to returning to Pennsylvania or during the 10-day travel quarantine period upon entry into Pennsylvania, apply to commonwealth employees? (Updated 12/16/20)
You must follow the guidance below if you engage in travel that is covered by the order and cannot obtain a negative COVID-19 test within the necessary timeframe to avoid the requirement to travel quarantine for 10 days upon your return:
- If you are teleworking, continue to telework and do not report to your worksite. If you are physically reporting to a worksite but have the option and ability to telework, commence telework in consultation with your supervisory staff.
- If you are physically reporting to a worksite and do not have the option or ability to telework, you may use COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (ES), if available, or your own paid or unpaid leave.
- Contact your FMLA Specialist at ra-spfabsence@pa.gov or 717.346.4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave for this reason.
- Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of your own paid leave or other leave without pay options.
- Acceptable proof of travel will be required to support any absence required due to travel quarantine under this order.
Employees who tested for COVID-19 prior to their return to Pennsylvania or during the 10-day travel quarantine period, but who do not have their actual test results upon arrival, are required to travel quarantine until their test results are obtained. If their test results come back negative prior to the expiration of 10 days, the employee need not complete the full travel quarantine period. Acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test which was conducted prior to an individual’s return to Pennsylvania or during the 10-day travel quarantine period must be provided to support any physical return to a worksite in lieu of a complete 10-day travel quarantine.
I have just returned from a designated state after the order became effective, and I work as a direct care staff at a 24/7 facility. Am I required to travel quarantine? (Updated 12/16/20)
Maybe. The order applies to all commonwealth employees but healthcare workers under certain circumstances may be able to return to the workplace prior to the expiration of their 10-day travel quarantine period. As such, if you were unable to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to returning to Pennsylvania or during the 10-day travel quarantine period, you are required to travel quarantine for 10 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. Contact your supervisor to determine your travel quarantine status. Refer to the question below for information on leave options.
I did not obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to returning to Pennsylvania, and now have to travel quarantine as a result. However, what if I am able to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result thereafter, either through my own efforts or as the result of a mandatory testing policy in place at my worksite? Do I still have to remain in travel quarantine for a full 10days? (Updated 1/1/21)
No. In all cases of travel covered by the order, the COVID-19 may be taken after the employee's return to Pennsylvania during the 10-day travel quarantine period in order to avoid the requirement to complete a full 10-day travel quarantine. Acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test which was conducted prior to an employee's return to Pennsylvania or within the 10-day travel quarantine period must be provided to support any physical return to a worksite in lieu of a complete 10-day travel quarantine.
Employees who tested for COVID-19 prior to their return to Pennsylvania, but who do not have their actual test results upon arrival, are required to travel quarantine until their test results are obtained. If their test results come back negative prior to the expiration of 10 days, the employee need not complete the full travel quarantine period.
Does the commonwealth distinguish between work-related travel and personal travel?
Yes. Travel between home and work or home and medical appointments in other states is permitted. The travel exemptions are:
- Individuals traveling to and from Pennsylvania for work.
- Individuals traveling to and from Pennsylvania for medical reasons (including providing comfort and support to a patient).
- Individuals who are returning to the Commonwealth after traveling outside of the Commonwealth for less than 24 hours.
- Military personnel traveling to Pennsylvania by order or directive of a state or Federal military authority. This includes military personnel returning to Pennsylvania after traveling outside of the state by order or directive of a state or Federal military authority.
- Individuals in transit through Pennsylvania to another destination, provided that the time spent in Pennsylvania is only the amount of time necessary to complete the transit, make use of travel services, such as highway rest stop, or make necessary travel connections.
- Individuals traveling to comply with a court order (including child custody).
What are my leave options during a required travel quarantine period?
You are required to use your own paid leave, or COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick (ES) leave if available, to cover any absences due to the need to travel quarantine under the order. You should:
- Consider this requirement when deciding to travel for reasons other than those exempted from the order.
- Keep track of your available leave balances and take the necessary steps to avoid travel quarantine situations that require you to use your own leave.
Leave without pay options may be available, but only after all of your accrued and anticipated paid leave, including *sick leave, have been exhausted.
- Contact your FMLA Specialist at ra-spfabsence@pa.gov or 717.346.4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave for this reason.
- Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of your own paid leave or other leave without pay options.
*The use of sick leave in this example is only applicable to the travel quarantine period.
What if I live in another state and commute into Pennsylvania for work?
You should continue your current work status as appropriate.
Individuals traveling to and from Pennsylvania for work are exempt from the requirements of the order. Travel between home and work or home and medical appointments in other states is also permitted.
Am I required to adhere to the travel quarantine if I am asymptomatic? (Updated 12/16/20)
The order applies
whether you have symptoms or not. As such, if
you have traveled outside of Pennsylvania any time after 12:01 a.m. on Friday,
November 20, 2020, you are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result 72
hours prior to returning or during the 10-day travel quarantine period, or quarantine
for 10 days, even if you remain asymptomatic, upon return. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
should consult with their health provider as soon as possible.
If my spouse or family member has returned from traveling outside of Pennsylvania, must a non-traveling household member quarantine?
The order only applies to persons who are traveling or have traveled. If a spouse, family member, or other household member has returned to Pennsylvania from another state, the non-traveling household members are not required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result or be subject to a travel quarantine. However, if the individual who traveled is awaiting test results and develops any signs or symptoms or has a positive test result, their close contacts, including household members, should quarantine.
What happens if I exhaust my leave while I am required to travel quarantine? Will I be subject to discipline?
If you are equipped and authorized to telework, you will be required to work during any travel quarantine period, rendering the use of leave unnecessary (unless you are unable to telework due to illness or other valid reason). If you are unable to telework, you may use COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (ES), if available, or your own paid or unpaid leave to cover any necessary period of travel quarantine. As such, you should keep track of your available leave balances and take the necessary steps to avoid travel quarantine situations that require you to use your own leave.
- Contact your FMLA Specialist at ra-spfabsence@pa.gov or 717.346.4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave for this reason.
- Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of your own paid leave or other leave without pay options.
What if I am required to travel outside of Pennsylvania for reasons beyond my control, but which otherwise do not fall under the specific exemptions to the order described by the DOH? Would I still be covered by the order? If so, and if I am unable to telework, would I still need to use my own leave to cover my absence if I am required to travel quarantine upon my return?
The DOH has indicated that travel quarantine is not required for individuals who travel routinely for work or “other critical purposes. Please discuss the matter with your supervisor as soon as possible. Your agency HR staff can work with the Office of Administration to evaluate unique and compelling situations where an employee may have had to travel outside of Pennsylvania for reasons beyond their own control on a case-by-case basis.
What if I am off on military leave and my orders require me to travel outside of Pennsylvania? Am I required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to returning to Pennsylvania or be subject to travel quarantine?
No. Military personnel travelling to Pennsylvania by order or directive of a state or federal military authority, including commonwealth employees on military leave who are required to travel outside of Pennsylvania for the same reasons, are exempt from the order. However, some state agencies have separate rules in place which require employees to quarantine for a period of time prior to physically returning to the workplace from military leave. As such, employees on approved military leave should contact their supervisory chain-of-command and/or their agency HR office to determine if they are subject to such requirements prior to the expiration of their leave of absence.
I am a non-teleworking employee who submitted to a COVID-19 test prior to returning to Pennsylvania or during my travel quarantine period, but I have not yet received my results. Am I allowed to work until my COVID-19 test results are received?
No. Employees who tested for COVID-19 prior to their return to Pennsylvania or during their travel quarantine period, but who do not have their actual test results upon arrival, are required to travel quarantine until their test results are obtained. If their test results come back negative prior to the expiration of 10 days, the employee need not complete the full travel quarantine period. Acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test must be provided to support any physical return to a worksite in lieu of a complete 10-day travel quarantine. (Updated 12/16/20)
What kinds of tests are acceptable to avoid the travel quarantine?
The test must be a diagnostic SARS-CoV2 test authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).