Multimedia Story

 Home for the Holidays COVID-19 Edition

Traveling home during a pandemic.

Cassidy Hamlin 

Q News

Health officials and the CDC are urging people not to travel regardless of the holiday season and ask anyone doing so, to practice social distancing. 

What to expect

Health officials are warning everyone against holiday travel this year. However, if you  have to hit the road, the CDC urges you to do so as safely as possible. Continued facial mask wear and social distancing orders should still be practiced.

Air travel this year is expected to drop by almost 48%. Road trips are only expected to drop by 4%, according to the WFAA website. There could be up to 48 million people traveling on the road this holiday season.

Linked here is a pie chart indicating the amount of traveling via mode of transport.

Not what we hoped for

With the holiday season approaching, we are all anticipating the relaxation and time off. Everything looks a little different this year with COVID-19 meaning there is an even higher alert around the traveling options for the holidays.

The CDC has prepared small gatherings and party considerations for the holiday season to keep reducing the spread of COIVD-19. 

But you might be living in a state with their own specific holiday precautions this year. There are multiple states that have already released guidelines against celebrating prior to the holidays begin. 

Hope for the vaccine

A High Point University junior, Al Maya, made the trek from High Point, NC back home to Boston by car. The drive ends up being almost 16 hours for Maya. 

"I think there will be issues with a heightened spread for sure, but the vaccine is supposed to be widely available soon." Maya thinks the vaccine could halt any holiday outbreaks. 

Again, the CDC warns against large gatherings during this holiday season and asks everyone traveling to continue practicing COVID 19 social distancing protocols. 

At-Home Testing Kit: https://www.everlywell.com/products/covid-19-test/?g_network=g&g_adid=480376564964&g_keyword=covid%20travel%20holidays&g_adtype=search&g_adgroupid=113426672154&g_keywordid=kwd-968847599250&g_campaign=CAC+-+COVID-19+Test+Home+Collection+Kit&g_acctid=652-099-8287&g_campaignid=10400133832&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=covid&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzZL-BRDnARIsAPCJs7290_HwtkJJb8bXhynpbt3nk435VLH0Jx0AFsA-Bhuagv1Ra9TPLpwaAm70EALw_wcB

More from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html