SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KPIX 5) – Travelers visiting San Francisco and residents returning to the city on Friday have faced new strict guidelines for the mandatory quarantine order that has just entered into force.
KPIX 5 spoke with several passengers who learned about the new rules immediately after landing.
The timing of the new 10-day quarantine order for passengers is not an accident. Christmas is a week away, and health officials know people will come to town, even though they have been told to stay home.
The only quarantine notifications at San Francisco International Airport came in the form of 30-minute PA announcements and digital signs displayed on luggage.
The ad is intended for a specific audience.
“People living in the Bay Area, who were thinking of traveling outside the Bay Area, are probably aware of the health restrictions, the requirements. This was really more targeted for people who could come from outside California to the Bay Area to inform and educate them, ”said SFO spokesman Doug Yakel.
The quarantine took effect at midnight on Friday and will last until January 4.
Irith and Aharon Danzinger arrived in Jerusalem on Friday morning and did not hear of any restrictions until they landed at SFO.
When asked if she believes in quarantine, Irith Danzinger replied, “Yes, yes. I don’t like it that much, but I believe in it. I know it’s bad for the economy, it’s bad for a general attitude, but it’s good for being healthier. “
The San Francisco County Quarantine Order is based on the one imposed in Santa Clara County before Thanksgiving, but it is more restrictive. It applies to anyone who has spent any time outside the 10 counties in the Bay Area, including nearby Santa Cruz County.
Residents must be quarantined for 10 days on their return to San Francisco and can only leave the house for medical reasons.
Exemptions include medical workers, first responders, essential infrastructure works or those traveling for medical care, official government business or court-ordered travel.
“I know it is hard. And I know this is another sacrifice of almost 10 months for this pandemic, but we are at a stage that was incomprehensible just a year ago, “said San Francisco’s director of public health Dr. Grant on Thursday. Colfax on Thursday when he talked about quarantine. Order.
Further details on the mandatory travel quarantine are available on the COVID-19 website.
If caught in violation of the order, people could be charged with a crime and could be fined or imprisoned. However, San Francisco officials have not provided any details on law enforcement, so the focus is now on education.
Nikki Adgani told KPIX 5 that she will stay in a house on her parents’ property until enough time has passed and she can be tested.
“We all bought beforehand, so we don’t have to go anywhere, so we hope it will be a safe situation,” Adgani said.
KT and Branch Johnson-Rotes are heading to Connecticut for Christmas and have already placed a safety net for their arrival back in the Bay Area.
“Instacart, probably. I go to undergraduate school and most of my classmates are in the same building, so I had a mutually helpful discussion for all those who need to stay home. We quarantined ourselves very well and we helped each other and left food at the door of the apartment, so that any contact is as minimal as possible “, said KT.
San Francisco resident Paymon Ghafouri told KPIX 5 that he is flying to Texas and will return home in a week.
“As soon as I get home, I have to go to work. My other question would be, who will keep track of the 10 days? Said Ghafouri.
When asked if he would be quarantined when he returned, Ghafouri replied, “Honestly, I have to say no, I will not do that.”
Andria Borba contributed to this story.