This story has been updated.
The three airlines that provide service from the United Kingdom to New York City will test travelers from United Kingdom for a new strain of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced.
Cuomo had previously urged on the major airlines that serve travelers from the United Kingdom into New York City to test travelers before they board for a new strain of the coronavirus.
The airlines, British Airways, Virgin Airlines and Delta all agreed to do so throughout the day. Cuomo rolled out the agreements in a series of news conferences and TV interviews.
Cuomo had said earlier in the day if the airlines do not, New York will "pursue other options."
"I'm only a governor, but I will do anything I can to protect the people of the state of New York," Cuomo said.
New York's COVID-19 positive rate over the last 24 hours stood at 5.75% and 6,331 people are hospitalized, an increase of 146 people in the last day. There were 109 deaths confirmed that were attributed to the virus.
As of Monday, about 38,000 people in New York have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccinations of people living in nursing homes began this morning in New York; the administration of the first dose is set to begin for emergency medical service personnel this week, Cuomo said.
Cuomo on Sunday urged federal officials to test UK travelers for the new variant of COVID-19 or restrict travel as other companies have done.