Gov. Lamont May Enact Travel Ban From COVID-19 Hot Spots

Connecticut may be in good shape when it comes to coronavirus cases, but Governor Ned Lamont is not taking any chances and is talking about a possible travel ban.

Since COVID-19 cases have spiked in many states like Florida, Arizona, and Texas, the Governor is proposing a preemptive strike and considering the possibility of a travel ban for people coming to Connecticut from some of the current hot spots.

In a press briefing on Monday, the Governor didn't say a regional travel ban was certain, but something that's on the table.

We will have some guidance on that very, very soon. Some other states have imposed two-week quarantine orders on travelers coming into their states during the pandemic.

However, Lamont did say there may be some exemptions for people in those areas.

I would favor giving an exemption to people coming into Connecticut from high-risk areas of the U.S. if they can prove they recently tested negative for the disease.

Since the states that are now seeing these spikes in infections, and hospitalizations, opened up much sooner than Connecticut, Lamont is hoping that if it becomes necessary, the travel ban may be required to allow the numbers in Connecticut to continue to decline. He sites the states slow re-opening plan, and the job that businesses have done for the low number of COVID-19 cases.

So far, I’d say, so good, the businesses of Connecticut have really stepped up.

Lamont is also asking residents to help in the contact tracing program, where people who test positive, let officials know the people they may have been in contact with in order to limit the spread of the virus. The Governor is asking anyone who receives a text, email, or phone call from the state to help out in order to protect others in their community.

Here's the entire news briefing from Monday afternoon: