LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Thanksgiving is a time when families usually gather, but the CDC warns people against travel due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Whether or not large crowds will arrive for the holidays is still open. The CDC urges those who need to travel to take every precaution to contract or possibly spread the virus.
This year, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority isn’t even forecasting visitor numbers for Thanksgiving week. More than 1 million new cases were reported in the US last week, and Nevada hit the 100,000 case milestone this week.
This is the biggest drop in visitors since the great recession of 2008.
“You wait and see. In many areas here in Nevada too, restrictions and things are changing as the governor tells residents to stay home. In California there is also a travel advice, said Sergio Avila, spokesman for AAA Nevada.
8 News Now spoke to some Las Vegas visitors at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign about why they chose to visit.
“I got in with Southwest Airlines, the middle seats are all empty,” said Raymond Suber. “Originally I wanted to buy tickets for the Chiefs on Sunday night, but they don’t have fans. But I still love my chiefs. So I’m here to help watch the game. “
The CDC says staying home this year is the best way to protect yourself and others. New restrictions begin this weekend in California. These restrictions include non-essential stores that close between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM. People are also asked to quarantine themselves upon returning to California if they leave the state.
