Are there quarantine camps in New York? Will you be imprisoned if you’re suspected of illness? These are questions circulating on social media about a New York State rule, developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, over quarantining and isolation. The rule drew a lawsuit and stoked panic online. The state is appealing a lower court decision against the rule and arguments are expected this fall.
One Facebook post urged followers: “stop NY Governor Hochul’s quarantine camps! She wants to imprison you if you’re just suspected of being exposed to a disease!”
The lawsuit centers on a regulation adopted during the pandemic. The rule had been extended in 90-day periods, and the state has said it wants to make it permanent.
The rule states: “For the purposes of quarantine orders, quarantine locations may include home quarantine, other residential or temporary housing quarantine, or quarantine at such other locations as the public health authority issuing the order deems appropriate, consistent with any direction that the State Commissioner of Health may issue.”
Under the disputed rule, the setting for quarantine and isolation can include a temporary housing location chosen by a public health authority, though in most cases people would voluntarily isolate in their homes.
The rule calls for coordination with law enforcement to ensure people comply with isolation or quarantine orders when necessary. The state has not operated camps for people infected with Covid-19, and experts have said it won’t start.
What follows is a fact-check of the statement circulating online – not of claims in the lawsuit.
State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, joined others in a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Health Department over the rule, arguing it breached the separation of powers. Borello’s lawsuit said the department lacked the authority to institute the rule’s isolation and quarantine procedures.
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