CDC advises against traveling for Thanksgiving

The number of virus cases across the country have increased in the fall months as more people are indoors.

Published: November 19, 2020 12:30pm

Updated: November 19, 2020 2:11pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended people living in the U.S. not travel during Thanksgiving to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The recommendation was made during a CDC news conference, the agency's first since August. The CDC released updated recommendations for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

“CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period,” said Dr. Henry Walke, the agency's Covid-19 incident manager. “For Americans who decide to travel, CDC recommends doing so as safely as possible by following the same recommendations for everyday living.”

Walke also expressed concern about infection spreading during next week's extended holiday weekend at "transportation hubs” because social distancing will be difficult while standing in line for a bus or train.

The other concern for the agency is extended family get-togethers for Thanksgiving dinner and other indoor holiday events.

“They may actually be bringing infections with them to that small gathering and not even know it,” he said, adding that 30% to 40% of the spread is driven by people without symptoms, according to CNBC.

The CDC’s “strong recommendation” isn’t a requirement, the officials acknowledged on the call.