SAN DIEGO — With COVID cases on the rise and San Diego falling back into the purple tier, many people are asking if it is safe to travel this Thanksgiving.
Data shows that not only are Americans as a whole not traveling as much but also Southern Californians are staying at home more now than ever before. Experts believe the lack of travel is directly related to the pandemic.
AAA says that travel in Southern California is down around 13%. AAA went on to say that most families are choosing to stay home and celebrate with people close to them in proximity.
The Center for Disease Control recently made some recommendations for Thanksgiving gatherings. They say whether you are staying at home or traveling, these can help keep you safe.
- Get a flu shot
- Keep the gatherings small and outside
- Wear a mask when not eating
- Stay out of tight spaces such as the kitchen
When it comes to traveling, AAA released some statistics that show habits are changing.
- 76% of Americans who are traveling are doing so by car
- 92% of Southern Californian travelers will go by car, which is up 6% from last year.
If you are planning on traveling by plane or by car AAA says you need to be prepared, “ With the rising cases of coronavirus, surging all across the country, it is really important that people understand the risks and minimize them. So what you want to do is make sure you are packing the appropriate PPE for everyone in the family. Things like face masks for each day you plan to travel.”