AAA expects less travel over holiday
The coronavirus pandemic and hard economic times are expected to shrink holiday travel in New England to a 20-year low.
The projected 35% decrease in New Englanders’ year-end journeys is the greatest drop in the nation, according to AAA. The forecast stems from economic data, including unemployment, and concerns about COVID-19, AAA spokeswoman Amy Parmenter said Monday,
Auto travel in the six-state region is expected to be down 31% from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 compared with last year and air travel will shrink by more than 60% — the lowest figures since AAA started keeping records.
Across the nation, holiday travel is forecast to drop by about 30%, or 34 million fewer Americans leaving home. Parmenter noted that many travelers this time of year head for vacation destinations, including Disney World in Florida.
Many people have put those vacation plans on hold. Orlando’s theme parks have struggled in the pandemic, as have nearby hotels, restaurants and rental car companies, all of which endured mass layoffs, the Orlando Sentinel reported recently.
The Centers for Disease Control warned that travel may increase the chances of spreading and contracting COVID-19. The federal agency continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home.
Also putting a damper on holiday travel in Connecticut is the state’s COVID-19 travel advisory, which was recently expanded to apply to all U.S. and foreign locations outside the state except New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Travelers arriving in Connecticut from those places, including state residents returning from trips of more than 24 hours, must self-quarantine for 10 days or show a negative coronavirus test result that was taken less than three days before they arrived or else face fines.
“Given the current high rates of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, Connecticut continues to strongly discourage all nonessential, interstate travel at this time as the risks are too severe,” Gov. Ned Lamont said, in a written statement.
For those who do plan to travel by air, the Transportation Security Administration recommends allowing plenty of time at the airport due to reduced staffing. The agency also recommended that people wait until they arrive at their destinations to wrap gifts.
“Presents may need to be unwrapped for additional inspection and we do not have the means to rewrap them for you,” the agency warned.
Another damper on holiday travel — gasoline prices across the country and in Connecticut recently rose. The national average gas price jumped six cents to $2.22,the highest in about four months. In Connecticut, the average price at the pump is $2.23, up four cents on the week and also the highest since early September, Parmenter said.
“The increases are likely to be shortlived, especially with holiday road travel expected to be down sharply,” Parmenter said.
The Connecticut State Police is asking drivers to heed weather precautions, drive sober and keep phones out of their hands. Each of the state’s 11 Troops will have extra troopers on duty to conduct roving DUI patrols through Jan. 1, police said.