Government officials and health experts are warning people to stay home this Thanksgiving holiday and avoid large family gatherings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Yet hundreds of thousands are expected to travel in our region.

New York state has a tough quarantine policy for anyone arriving from outside the region but the enforcement has been spotty. That's going to change this weekend when the city starts sending in sheriffs to enforce the rules.

At random checkpoints, bridge crossings, and bus terminals, sheriffs will check whether people have proof of a recent negative coronavirus test and if they've filled out state health forms.

Travelers are expected to quarantine for three days, and then get another negative test on the fourth day, before going outside.

You are exempt if you’re coming from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Vermont.

This is not a drill, said New York City Sheriff Joseph Fusito, who noted that a possible summons carries a $1,000 fine.  “If you violate the travel quarantine, there will be consequences.” 

As of mid-October, only one person had been issued a summons for a quarantine violation. Despite the warnings, it looks like people will be on the move: the number of cars on the road should be about the same as last year.