Adding its voice to those of Los Angeles County and California health authorities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday officially urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving and avoid traveling.
The federal agency noted in guidance released Thursday that more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States over the past week, stressing that amid such an increase, “the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.”
The CDC’s guidance states that traveling “may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19,” adding that “postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year.”
The state of California last week issued a travel advisory, urging residents to avoid traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. It also urged people who do travel to quarantine themselves for 14 days upon their return. It also urged people who visit the state from other states and countries to do the same.
Los Angeles County health officials have repeatedly urged residents to avoid Thanksgiving travel. The county has also recommended that people who opt to travel out of the area self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return and monitor themselves for possible coronavirus symptoms.
If people decide to travel anyway, the CDC recommended that they check travel restrictions impacting their destinations, get a flu shot before traveling, always wear a mask in public settings and on public transportation, practice frequent hygiene such as hand-washing and bring extra safety supplies, such as face masks and hand sanitizer.