No domestic travel restrictions yet, but authorities urge caution with COVID-19
COLUMBIA. Mo. (KMIZ)
Health authorities are warning Americans that the tight confines seen in travel increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
The CDC states that cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, may increase people’s risk of exposure in crowded travel settings such as airports.
The CDC says it generally doesn’t issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States, but the continued spread of COVID-19 could raise questions.
CDC wants travelers to ask themselves questions such as whether COVID-19 is spreading at the traveler's destination; whether travelers have a plan for taking time off from work or school if they are exposed; and whether COVID-19 is spreading where the traveler lives.
Two Missouri Valley College students flew at three different airports this week. They said fewer people were in the airports but everything else seemed normal.
"There were just fewer people and that’s what I thought was weird too," MVC student Daniel Velasquez-Wilson said. "Because every time they did like a safety warning on the announcement I thought it was maybe coronavirus ... but it was just a typical don’t leave your bag with a stranger. It was almost too normal, it was scary. "
Velasquez-Wilson and Shanelle Tolley, another MVC student, said there were extra hand sanitizer stations and posters in bathrooms instructing flyers to wash their hands. The two said they think people need to worry about gas stations more than airports.
"I feel like at the airport everyone is going to be more precautious where at this everyday spots like the gas stations you need to be more precautious," said Wilson.
ABC 17 News asked an infectious disease expert if people should be flying.
“I would say yes fly," said Christelle Ilboudo with University of Missouri Health Care. "But again, avoid large gatherings. If the purpose is to have fun and go out and party then I would really avoid those things in that type of setting, but if its purpose is to go home and be in a smaller environment with loved ones then that would be would reasonable to do.”
Travel advisories could change day by day so it’s important to keep updated and contact the local health department with any questions.
