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The Open Road Calls, but Authorities Say ‘Stop’ The Open Road Calls, but Authorities Say ‘Stop’
(1 day later)
[Thinking of traveling in the U.S.? A third of states have strict measures in place for visitors, from mandatory testing to quarantine requirements. Check an updated list here.][Thinking of traveling in the U.S.? A third of states have strict measures in place for visitors, from mandatory testing to quarantine requirements. Check an updated list here.]
Some two weeks after Marie Margolius, 27, drove from her apartment in Brooklyn to a family home in Middletown, R.I., to stay with her family, the National Guard dropped by.Some two weeks after Marie Margolius, 27, drove from her apartment in Brooklyn to a family home in Middletown, R.I., to stay with her family, the National Guard dropped by.
The family cars, all with Massachusetts license plates, were parked in the front yard. The officers took notes of the family members’ names and date of arrival into town and instructed them to continue self-isolating.The family cars, all with Massachusetts license plates, were parked in the front yard. The officers took notes of the family members’ names and date of arrival into town and instructed them to continue self-isolating.
“It felt surreal seeing these men in uniform, wearing masks, knocking on doors in an effort to get a handle on who’s here,” she said. “But it made me feel safe.”“It felt surreal seeing these men in uniform, wearing masks, knocking on doors in an effort to get a handle on who’s here,” she said. “But it made me feel safe.”
The guards left the family with a flier including “10 Tips for At-Home Quarantine or Self-Monitoring” during the coronavirus pandemic.The guards left the family with a flier including “10 Tips for At-Home Quarantine or Self-Monitoring” during the coronavirus pandemic.
As stay-at-home orders have spread across the United States, a number of states have moved to restrict the arrival of nonresidents and make sure that they quarantine for 14 days. Governors in states including Rhode Island, Florida and Texas have implemented interstate travel restrictions, including stopping some drivers coming from out of state at the border to remind them of the quarantine requirement.As stay-at-home orders have spread across the United States, a number of states have moved to restrict the arrival of nonresidents and make sure that they quarantine for 14 days. Governors in states including Rhode Island, Florida and Texas have implemented interstate travel restrictions, including stopping some drivers coming from out of state at the border to remind them of the quarantine requirement.
No state has blocked drivers from passing through on their way to their final destination.No state has blocked drivers from passing through on their way to their final destination.
Some municipalities are adding restrictions of their own. In New Jersey, the city of Newark, and the nearby towns of Irvington, Orange and East Orange are turning around drivers seeking to cross their town lines whose travel is seen as nonessential.Some municipalities are adding restrictions of their own. In New Jersey, the city of Newark, and the nearby towns of Irvington, Orange and East Orange are turning around drivers seeking to cross their town lines whose travel is seen as nonessential.
The restrictions came on the heels of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order restricting movement in the state, which currently has more cases than anywhere in the country except New York.The restrictions came on the heels of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order restricting movement in the state, which currently has more cases than anywhere in the country except New York.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark said in a YouTube video that the so-called operation lockdown, which will last at least seven days from March 31, stations police officers in Newark, and surrounding municipalities at town borders to ensure that “cars are not moving about unnecessarily, that people are not traversing back and forth from city to city in purposes that are not for emergencies only.”Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark said in a YouTube video that the so-called operation lockdown, which will last at least seven days from March 31, stations police officers in Newark, and surrounding municipalities at town borders to ensure that “cars are not moving about unnecessarily, that people are not traversing back and forth from city to city in purposes that are not for emergencies only.”
Officers will stop drivers to determine their reason for being on the road and issue summonses for any nonessential travel.Officers will stop drivers to determine their reason for being on the road and issue summonses for any nonessential travel.
“We’re doing this because we want to save lives,” Mayor Baraka said. “And the quicker we do it, the longer we do it, and the better we are at obeying this, the more lives we save and the quicker we can get out of this situation.”“We’re doing this because we want to save lives,” Mayor Baraka said. “And the quicker we do it, the longer we do it, and the better we are at obeying this, the more lives we save and the quicker we can get out of this situation.”
Do your research beforehand. Go to the official website of the state and localities that you are traveling to — and those between. Some states and municipalities are setting up border checkpoints and screenings, which may affect your trip, though no state has blocked through travel.Do your research beforehand. Go to the official website of the state and localities that you are traveling to — and those between. Some states and municipalities are setting up border checkpoints and screenings, which may affect your trip, though no state has blocked through travel.
Before a longer trip, speak with a health care provider and get your vehicle checked for maintenance. Contact hotels to be sure they’re still open.Before a longer trip, speak with a health care provider and get your vehicle checked for maintenance. Contact hotels to be sure they’re still open.
Check for open rest stops along your route. They vary by state, but as gas stations are essential businesses, they make a good option for restrooms. Pack food or plan for drive-through and carryout options only.Check for open rest stops along your route. They vary by state, but as gas stations are essential businesses, they make a good option for restrooms. Pack food or plan for drive-through and carryout options only.
Don’t leave the driveway without packing necessary travel documents, including health insurance cards, along with ample snacks, water and, of course disinfectant spray and wipes.Don’t leave the driveway without packing necessary travel documents, including health insurance cards, along with ample snacks, water and, of course disinfectant spray and wipes.
Truck stops and travel plazas are still open, but you may notice a few changes on the roadside. Many locations across the country have transitioned to curbside or takeout options. Additionally, some locations have installed tap and pay machines to limit person-to-person contact.Truck stops and travel plazas are still open, but you may notice a few changes on the roadside. Many locations across the country have transitioned to curbside or takeout options. Additionally, some locations have installed tap and pay machines to limit person-to-person contact.
These tips come from AAA and NATSO.These tips come from AAA and NATSO.
In the Florida Keys, local authorities instigated traffic stops at the entrance of both main roads into the Keys on March 27. At the time, Monroe County had 16 cases of Covid-19, while neighboring counties had far more. Although hotels in the Florida Keys had stopped taking hotel reservations about a week earlier, local officials noticed that large numbers of nonresidents were still arriving in the islands.In the Florida Keys, local authorities instigated traffic stops at the entrance of both main roads into the Keys on March 27. At the time, Monroe County had 16 cases of Covid-19, while neighboring counties had far more. Although hotels in the Florida Keys had stopped taking hotel reservations about a week earlier, local officials noticed that large numbers of nonresidents were still arriving in the islands.
Mayor Heather Carruthers met with the local sheriff and others, and decided to block access to out of towners. The new regulations allow in residents and essential employees while turning others away.Mayor Heather Carruthers met with the local sheriff and others, and decided to block access to out of towners. The new regulations allow in residents and essential employees while turning others away.
At the two checkpoints, those with windshield stickers denoting residence are fielded into one lane while others go to a separate lane to show documentation to sheriff’s officers.At the two checkpoints, those with windshield stickers denoting residence are fielded into one lane while others go to a separate lane to show documentation to sheriff’s officers.
“This is not who the Keys are. We believe in freedom of expression and freedom of movement,” Mayor Carruthers said. “Our motto has always been: ‘Come as you are.’ But I guess now our motto is ‘Come as you are — later on.’”“This is not who the Keys are. We believe in freedom of expression and freedom of movement,” Mayor Carruthers said. “Our motto has always been: ‘Come as you are.’ But I guess now our motto is ‘Come as you are — later on.’”
Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, issued an executive order March 27 restricting some interstate travel. As a result, the state’s Department of Transportation working with the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Health implemented two checkpoints screening motorists coming from areas with significant community spread, at the Alabama/Florida state line on I-10 and the Georgia/Florida state line on I-95. (Governor DeSantis later instructed residents to stay at home.)Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, issued an executive order March 27 restricting some interstate travel. As a result, the state’s Department of Transportation working with the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Health implemented two checkpoints screening motorists coming from areas with significant community spread, at the Alabama/Florida state line on I-10 and the Georgia/Florida state line on I-95. (Governor DeSantis later instructed residents to stay at home.)
Meanwhile, residents driving in Laredo, Texas, face a $1,000 fine if they do not cover their faces with a proper or makeshift mask when pumping gas.Meanwhile, residents driving in Laredo, Texas, face a $1,000 fine if they do not cover their faces with a proper or makeshift mask when pumping gas.
A general manager at a truck stop in town was threatened with arrest if he served someone without a mask, said Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, vice president of public affairs for NATSO, an industry group that represents truck stops and travel plazas.A general manager at a truck stop in town was threatened with arrest if he served someone without a mask, said Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, vice president of public affairs for NATSO, an industry group that represents truck stops and travel plazas.
“Employees are working round the clock to keep their locations clean and truck drivers on the road,” she said. “Now they are being asked to police their customers.”“Employees are working round the clock to keep their locations clean and truck drivers on the road,” she said. “Now they are being asked to police their customers.”
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has issued a slew of executive orders and proclamations over the course of five days in late March, limiting travelers both in the air and on the road. Anyone driving into Texas from Louisiana, which has more than 13,000 cases, will be stopped by the Texas Department of Public Safety and required to self-quarantine for 14 days. (Governor Abbott issued a longer list of cities and states with mandatory self-quarantine rules for people coming from airports there.)Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has issued a slew of executive orders and proclamations over the course of five days in late March, limiting travelers both in the air and on the road. Anyone driving into Texas from Louisiana, which has more than 13,000 cases, will be stopped by the Texas Department of Public Safety and required to self-quarantine for 14 days. (Governor Abbott issued a longer list of cities and states with mandatory self-quarantine rules for people coming from airports there.)
Updated July 22, 2020 Updated July 23, 2020
While the constitution ensures drivers a “right to travel” — meaning the right to cross state borders — states also have the right to exercise their police power to protect themselves from disease, said Gillian Metzger, a professor of constitutional law at Columbia Law School. Therefore, even state measures that target interstate travel may be constitutional — so long as no better less restrictive alternative exists.While the constitution ensures drivers a “right to travel” — meaning the right to cross state borders — states also have the right to exercise their police power to protect themselves from disease, said Gillian Metzger, a professor of constitutional law at Columbia Law School. Therefore, even state measures that target interstate travel may be constitutional — so long as no better less restrictive alternative exists.
“In the midst of a pandemic, state governments have very strong power to make restrictions in the name of public health,” Professor Metzger said, adding: “As we know more about the virus, as we do more testing, the kinds of restrictions that will be allowed will change.”“In the midst of a pandemic, state governments have very strong power to make restrictions in the name of public health,” Professor Metzger said, adding: “As we know more about the virus, as we do more testing, the kinds of restrictions that will be allowed will change.”
One exception: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York threatened to sue the state of Rhode Island when the governor there considered stopping cars with New York license plates at the border March 28. Soon after, Gov. Gina Raimondo changed tactics, signing an executive order instructing anyone — not just New Yorkers but even other Rhode Islanders — coming from out of state to quarantine at home for 14 days.One exception: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York threatened to sue the state of Rhode Island when the governor there considered stopping cars with New York license plates at the border March 28. Soon after, Gov. Gina Raimondo changed tactics, signing an executive order instructing anyone — not just New Yorkers but even other Rhode Islanders — coming from out of state to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Data suggests that a restriction of movement helps to slow the rate of infection. But the government — whether local, state or federal — likely cannot keep all of the 273.6 million vehicles registered in the United States off the road.Data suggests that a restriction of movement helps to slow the rate of infection. But the government — whether local, state or federal — likely cannot keep all of the 273.6 million vehicles registered in the United States off the road.
“Much of the control of the outbreak in the U.S. will depend on individuals in the U.S. making good choices,” said Dr. Henry Wu, director of Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta, which provides health services for international travelers.“Much of the control of the outbreak in the U.S. will depend on individuals in the U.S. making good choices,” said Dr. Henry Wu, director of Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta, which provides health services for international travelers.
Noting the asymmetric nature of the disease — different parts of the country experiencing different stages of the pandemic — he said, “increased travel between different regions of the country would increase the likelihood that it would spread.”Noting the asymmetric nature of the disease — different parts of the country experiencing different stages of the pandemic — he said, “increased travel between different regions of the country would increase the likelihood that it would spread.”
Even AAA suggests that you “talk to your health care provider” before you go.Even AAA suggests that you “talk to your health care provider” before you go.
Some of the country’s most famous drives, like California’s Route 1, remain open. But authorities along some roadways — like the Blue Ridge Parkway — are trying to discourage its use. Drivers there can still take in the scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley, but will find that restrooms, visitor centers and campgrounds along the route are closed.Some of the country’s most famous drives, like California’s Route 1, remain open. But authorities along some roadways — like the Blue Ridge Parkway — are trying to discourage its use. Drivers there can still take in the scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley, but will find that restrooms, visitor centers and campgrounds along the route are closed.
Allen Pietrobon, an assistant professor of Global Affairs at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C., who teaches a course titled “The Great American Road Trip,” said that the two most comparable driving restrictions go back to the oil crisis of 1973 and World War II, when car manufacturing was halted, all pleasure driving in some eastern states was temporarily prohibited and rations limited drivers in some places to as little as 3 gallons of gas per week. (“When you ride ALONE you ride with Hitler!” propaganda posters warned.)Allen Pietrobon, an assistant professor of Global Affairs at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C., who teaches a course titled “The Great American Road Trip,” said that the two most comparable driving restrictions go back to the oil crisis of 1973 and World War II, when car manufacturing was halted, all pleasure driving in some eastern states was temporarily prohibited and rations limited drivers in some places to as little as 3 gallons of gas per week. (“When you ride ALONE you ride with Hitler!” propaganda posters warned.)
On both occasions “an outside crisis caused Americans to rethink their driving habits because of something out of their control,” Dr. Pietrobon said. “Even if you had a car and wanted to drive, you couldn’t.”On both occasions “an outside crisis caused Americans to rethink their driving habits because of something out of their control,” Dr. Pietrobon said. “Even if you had a car and wanted to drive, you couldn’t.”
Roads emptied because drivers did not have the resources to take a drive, he said. Today, despite bottomed-out oil prices, Americans are largely staying off the road for another reason out of their control.Roads emptied because drivers did not have the resources to take a drive, he said. Today, despite bottomed-out oil prices, Americans are largely staying off the road for another reason out of their control.
“Now you driving your car into another community is seen as a dangerous invasion,” Dr. Pietrobon said.“Now you driving your car into another community is seen as a dangerous invasion,” Dr. Pietrobon said.
Professor Metzger, the constitutional scholar, said that some of the restrictions during the outbreak could prove unconstitutional if drivers took them to court. But in the meantime motorists should pay attention to restrictions before they hit the road: “You may be stopped or you may not be able to get where you want to go,’” she said. “And nobody undertakes a drive thinking I may be able to get to where I want to go by lawsuit.”Professor Metzger, the constitutional scholar, said that some of the restrictions during the outbreak could prove unconstitutional if drivers took them to court. But in the meantime motorists should pay attention to restrictions before they hit the road: “You may be stopped or you may not be able to get where you want to go,’” she said. “And nobody undertakes a drive thinking I may be able to get to where I want to go by lawsuit.”
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