New York To Use Sheriff’s Deputies To Enforce Quarantine For Those Arriving From U.K.

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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that sheriff’s deputies will be deployed to enforce quarantine protocols for travelers arriving from the United Kingdom. The mayor is seen above on Dec. 14. while delivering remarks ahead of the first COVID-19 vaccinations at NYU Langone Hospital.

Kevin Hagen/AP

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Kevin Hagen/AP

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«Then there’s going to be a follow-up direct home visit or hotel visit from the sheriff’s deputy to confirm they are following the quarantine, de Blasio added. «Or if they do not, they will be penalized.

He said those who don’t follow the quarantine protocols will be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 per day.

The mayor underscored that New Yorkers have suffered greatly from the impacts of the coronavirus and that at one point during the spring New York state was the nation’s epicenter for new confirmed infections and deaths.

«We don’t want to penalize people. Everyone’s been through hell this year, de Blasio added. «But if you don’t follow the quarantine, you’re endangering everyone else in the city, right as we are fighting this second wave.

New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito said that in addition to informing travelers of the quarantine protocols, deputies will tell them what services are provided, including assistance with food, housing «or anything that will help them through their quarantine.

The deputies will also be issuing the notices of violations of quarantine, Fucito added.

The new coronavirus variant discovered in the U.K. has scientists concerned because it appears to be more contagious than the various strains already circulating. There still remains no evidence suggesting that the new variant is deadlier.

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Since U.K. officials announced the presence of the new variant of the virus, more than 40 countries worldwide have banned travelers from the United Kingdom. Those restrictions also caused miles-long traffic jams at ports and tunnels on both sides of the English Channel as cargo shipments were idled.

Earlier Wednesday, France announced it had reopened its borders to travelers and truck drivers from the U.K., so long as they could prove they tested negative for the coronavirus within the previous 72 hours.