Say what now? CDC tells Americans told not to travel for Thanksgiving

#UnitedStates – November 19, 2020 – Basically, no place on the planet is safe enough to visit according to the United States’ top health agency: the Centers for Disease Control, CDC which is advising against travel for the Thanksgiving season including within the States.

The CDC, today released:  “Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others.”

The recommendation by the CDC seems to validate decisions by state governors who are calling for limited gatherings during the most family-oriented holiday of the calendar year for Americans; Thanksgiving.

News reports indicate this is the strongest guidance from the CDC since the pandemic gripped the United States, which has now recorded over 250,000 deaths and 11.6 million infections. 

The CDC, on its website says:  “postponing planned travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year” and offers questions Americans should ask themselves before making a trip.

The advisory comes one week after airlines announced they would be adding flights in anticipation of the highest demand for travel since March.

United Airlines alone had said it would add 1,400 flights.  JetBlue plans to add 25 non-stops to at least two Caribbean destinations, namely Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

It is too early to determine if the CDC alert will actually impact the travel plans of Americans.  Tourism executives in both the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas, for example, had already touted that bookings were strong for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

For Americans who opt to keep their travel schedules, the advice is about protection of self and family by wearing a mask which covers the nose and mouth when in a public place; to stay at least six feet apart from anyone who is not in your household; to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; to avoid anyone who is sick and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Also worth the mention is, on its travel alert map; the CDC shades nearly 100 percent of the planet in a dark tan.  Dark tan is the colour assigned to a Level 3 Travel Alert, which means Covid-19 risk is high.