Holiday Travel During the Pandemic
November 24, 2020
2020 makes traveling over the holiday’s is going to be a challenge with travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19.
People have varying opinions about why you should and should not travel with the virus taking its course. Many believe that it poses a health threat to travel and just as many think that it doesn’t make a difference at all.
“We are going to stay in Georgia for the holidays this year. We would normally go up to Canada to see mine and my husband’s family but the borders are closed, so we don’t have a choice to go even if we wanted to.” Annette MacEachern said. According to NPR.org, The borders to Canada as of now, are still closed and will remain closed until at least November twenty-first. Annette before the coronavirus hit would go up to Canada at least once a year but sadly this time it’s not an option.
Where Americans can travel this holiday season is up to the country they are trying to visit. The European Union updated its list of citizens that will be allowed to travel to Europe and the United States is not on the list. According to People.com 60% of people, this year won’t travel over the winter holidays. “We travel to Hickory, NC, to see my husband’s family for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. They travel to us for the other holiday.” Mrs. Lori Cuppari said.
PR Newswire.com released an article stating In 2019, 68% of Americans traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday. This season only 49% of Americans plan to travel at all. Of the 49%, their reasons for not traveling this holiday season had to with COVID-19. “I will not be traveling during the holiday season this year, I don’t normally travel over Christmas.” Kristen Byrnd said. Kristen’s favorite Christmas movie is Elf so even if she doesn’t travel she can spend that time watching her favorite movie.
City-Data.com lists 15.2% of residents in Peachtree City are employed by Air Transportation company. Aircraft and traffic control occupations were the most common in 2000. Despite the availability of taking off to familiar or unfamiliar places to spend the holiday season, it is quite unusual to find so many are staying grounded this holiday season.
“I do have my kids and grandkids here though, so I can still celebrate the holidays with family.” Annette MacEachern said.
Lucy Burgess • Feb 25, 2021 at 2:08 pm
I think it’s a good idea to stay home during a pandemic because it will lower the cases. If you want to stay safe, then stay home. It’s fun to travel but everyone’s health is more important.
Braley Roop • Feb 25, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Covid-19 has made traveling over the break challenging for many people.
I think you can travel if you do it safely, but there will always be a chance of getting Covid.
Students that travel on winter break can bring Covid back with them, and they can cause many other students to get sick or quarantined.
Katelyn Deraney • Feb 25, 2021 at 9:05 am
I believe that it’ smarter to not travel because covid is getting worse and worse. And traveling during this global pandemic will spread more through airports and where ever your traveling to. But i think its fine to go on road trips because it’ a lot less risky driving than flying.
Rayne Thomas • Feb 25, 2021 at 8:15 am
I think everyone should stay home for the holidays for safety during these times.
Some people have family they want to see, but its very risky to travel because anyone can get it and anyone can have it and you wouldn’t know.
Virtual is always a good option because at least you’d get to talk to them, and if you do go see them just keep your mask because they will help stop the spread of covid.
Michelle • Feb 25, 2021 at 8:08 am
I think that if you travel during the pandemic your putting you’re and other people at high risk. People who do travel during the pandemic need to follow a lot of rules in order to stay safe, and keep others around them safe. The requirements that people need to follow now are much more than we are used to, yet some people still don’t follow them.
Charlie Garcia • Feb 25, 2021 at 8:05 am
I think traveling during a pandemic might not be the smartest thing to do. People do travel during the holidays, but I think that staying in is so much more safe. Staying in during holidays keeps everyone safe, and it’s important to make sure our family’s stay safe.
Humza • Dec 4, 2020 at 11:32 am
I think that its smart that most people can’t travel during the pandemic because covid 19 could become even worse than it already is.