JOINT STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR CUOMO, GOVERNOR MURPHY, AND GOVERNOR LAMONT ON FEDERAL DECISION TO WEAKEN COVID-19 TESTING GUIDELINES
“The CDC has been a consistent, credible, and reliable guide for our nation for decades, providing clear and science-based guidance on everything from infectious disease to vaccines. That role is vital to our collective public health and it must continue.Ā ThisĀ 180-degree reversal of COVID-19 testing guidelinesĀ isĀ reckless, and not based on scienceĀ and has the potential to do long-term damage toĀ the institution’s reputation.
“CDC and HHS have not shared their scientificĀ rationale forĀ this change in policy, whichĀ substitutesĀ sound science-based public healthĀ guidanceĀ with the President’sĀ misinformation. This abrupt and ill-informed shift threatens the robust testing regimes our states have worked tirelessly to stand up with our federal partners.Ā
“Health experts recommend testing close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 to identify and prevent asymptomatic spread.Ā This type of robust testing by our states has beenĀ a key factor inĀ our success so far toĀ flatten the curve in the tristate area.
“New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will continue to follow the advice of health experts to containĀ and prevent the spread of COVID-19, and therefore will not be changing our guidance that prioritizes testing for this population.”
