As Halloween comes to an end, the Christmas and Thanksgiving frenzy begins. Stores begin stocking up on wrapping paper and frozen turkeys as customers race through the doors. All of this commotion brings up questions about travel plans this holiday season.

     Many individuals are contemplating traveling to see loved ones around this time of year, including art teacher Mrs. Plude. Plude doesn’t travel very far during the holidays because she has three young boys, but she often visits her grandmother, aunts, and uncles. 

     Plude states, “I am Greek and my husband and I both have large families, my father was one of six children. I have family in Connecticut and New York.”

     Having a large family is often hard during the holidays. Many households have come up with systems designating which holidays are spent with which side of the family.

     Junior Lauren Roth states, “One side of my family lives in North Carolina and the other lives in Texas. Every year my family alternates which holiday we spend together. This year is Christmas and next year will be Thanksgiving. Around every four years, we spend one of the holidays in Texas.”

     “Buckle Up: Thanksgiving Travel to Rebound Almost to Pre-Pandemic Levels”, an article written by Ellen Edmonds, manager of AAA Public Relations, predicts 53.4 million people are expected to travel this year, the highest increase since 2005.

     The article states, “With 6.4 million more people traveling this Thanksgiving coupled with the recent opening of the U.S. borders to fully vaccinated international travelers—people should prepare for roads and airports to be noticeably more crowded.”

     When it comes to traveling during the pandemic, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention set specific guidelines for all travelers to follow. According to cdc.gov, travelers should not commute if they have been exposed or are waiting for results from a Covid-19 test. 

     They also state that individuals should delay travel until they are fully vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated and need to travel should closely follow the CDC’s recommendations list for people who are not fully vaccinated.

     Susan Ardolino is a nurse at the Veterans Hospital in West Haven and works part time at White Plains Hospital in New York. She stresses the importance of staying safe during this holiday season.

     Ardolino states, “It’s important to see your family and friends during the holiday season and partake in holiday traditions. However, it is just as important to wear a mask and keep your loved ones safe.”

     With the holiday season approaching, it is important to stay safe and have a jolly time with family and friends.