Southern State Travel Advisory

Beginning June 25, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has instituted a new state-wide travel advisory requiring individuals traveling from certain states to quarantine for fourteen (14) days from the time they began to travel. The states in question that are experiencing significant community-based spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Though others may be added to this list at a later date, the advisory will continue until further notice.

This decision was made in collaboration with Connecticut and New Jersey to protect our region and our state’s progress in the fight against COVID-19. The advisory specifically targets travelers visiting New York from the states mentioned above as well as New York residents traveling to those states and then returning home. The quarantine requirements do not currently apply to any individuals passing through those states for a limited duration during the course of travel (ex. layovers, rest area stops, gas stations, etc.). Any violation of a quarantine or isolation order may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Despite this news and the information available on the issue, we have still observed the same amount of summertime vacation traffic among the community. Visitors are coming here, county residents are going there. You are free to make your own choices, but we ask that you reconsider traveling at this time to protect you and your family and, should visitation restrictions be lifted or eased in the near future on our campus, to protect your loved ones in our care. We would hate for anyone to be separated from their family longer than necessary due to a self-quarantine order after traveling.

Also, more local stores and restaurants are continuing to reopen. Local attractions and lake-related businesses are as well. Whether you’re traveling or not, please be careful when going about your regular lives. Chautauqua County is a tourism-driven area. Though the system that the state has put in place may seem complicated, it is by no means comprehensive. People and things will slip through the cracks and when they do, they can bring this dangerous infection with them into the places you frequent most. Continue to take measures to protect yourself and your loved ones from the spread of infection and remember your COVID-19 hygiene basics. If you find yourself in a situation where you must travel, please use the included symptom and temperature log when you begin your two-week quarantine.

Please be smart and vigilant with your health and the health of those around you. The face masks, hand washing, travel restrictions and other preventative measures may seem silly or over the top, but we do them out of respect: I am doing this to protect you, and you are doing this to protect me.

Thank you again for your patience and support.

Symptomatic Residents Tested for COVID-19 – 19
Residents Currently Testing Positive for COVID-19 – 0
Employees Tested for COVID-19 (Mandated) – Round 7 – ALL
Employees Currently Testing Positive for COVID-19 – 0
Former COVID-19 Positive Employees Recovered – 1

For COVID-19 status updates on the Lutheran Campus, call our 24/7 hotline at any time: 716-720-9715.

Sincerely,

Tom Holt
President and CEO