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Large crowds and long lines were seen at O’Hare International Airport on Friday as travelers prepared to leave Chicago ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The photos showed people lined up at terminals, many within 6 feet with little social distancing.
According to the airport’s website, a face mask is required inside the airport and, “where possible, travelers should maintain a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters between individuals.” The Chicago Aviation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the crowd.
“The safety, security and well-being of the traveling public is our top priority, and the CDA works closely with our airport and our public health partners to ensure the safest possible environment,” said on Friday. Chicago Aviation Department in a statement. “This means, among other things, that masks must be worn at the airport, social distancing is encouraged via ground decals and other signage, and the most up-to-date public health advice is communicated regularly via various channels. “
Additionally, the ministry said it was working with the TSA and airlines operating out of the airport to “ensure consistency across all terminals.” There are also volunteer “ambassadors” who move around the terminals, hand out masks and encourage social distancing, officials said.
“We will continue these efforts, but we also wish to remind travelers of their responsibility to follow public health guidelines, including wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing,” the ADC statement said. “We all have a role to play.”
The queues and crowds come a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines urging Americans not to travel for the holidays.
Dr Henry Walke, CDC COVID-19 incident manager, said he was concerned “about transportation hubs.” He said he feared people might not be able to maintain social distancing while queuing, for example, to board buses and planes.
“We are alarmed,” Walke said, adding that the country has seen an “exponential increase” in cases, hospitalizations and deaths recently. “One of our concerns is that when people get together over the holiday season, they can actually bring infections to this small gathering without even knowing it.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has expressed similar concerns, urging families to virtually celebrate the holiday.
“Remember that a negative test does not give you a free pass to celebrate Thanksgiving in person,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Thursday. “The safest way to celebrate with your loved ones and loved ones is to do so virtually.”
Ezike noted that exposure could lead to a positive test at any time within 14 days of that exposure.
“It only works if you haven’t exposed yourself to anyone in the 14 days from when you were tested and when you meet your friends and family,” she says. “When you are with other people, you can be exposed to the virus at any time.”
State hospitals are bracing for the potential Thanksgiving and Christmas could lead to an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
Several hospitals in Illinois are now reporting more coronavirus patients than during the peak of spring, as medical professionals warn to try for months to come, information from several hospitals revealed.
“Thanksgiving dinners have the potential to be super-diffusing events,” said Dr. Robert Citronberg, executive medical director of infectious disease and prevention for the Advocate Aurora Health hospital system on Monday. “It’s so important that we don’t do it. The numbers are devastating right now. Our healthcare system cannot absorb the double or tripling of those numbers. It could happen if we have many super spreader events arising from Thanksgiving. “
Chicago and the suburb of Cook County are under stay-at-home advisories, effective Monday and continuing for 30 days, urging residents to avoid gatherings with people who do not live in their homes. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued similar stay-at-home recommendations statewide, as the entire state prepares for increased Level 3 mitigation measures starting Friday, shutting down several businesses and imposing new limitations on others.
Chicago has also issued a travel order for almost all of the United States, requiring anyone who comes to the city after being in certain states to self-quarantine for two weeks or, in some cases, test negative before. the arrival.
Some travelers said they were surprised by the number of people at the airport this week.
“No one is 6 feet apart. Everyone is 3 feet or 2 feet apart. It’s horrible, ”said O’Hare passenger Sidney Morgan.
Even though AAA says nearly 15% fewer Illinois are traveling this year compared to last year, 2.4 million are still expected to take the vacation trip.
Most Americans should travel by car and then by plane, according to the group.
Despite the CDC warning, some travelers said they were not worried.
“I feel safe to fly,” said O’Hare passenger Ariel Brummel.
“Almost a billion people have traveled by air and only 44 cases of COVID have been linked to direct transmission in an airplane,” said Brian Kelly, “The Points Guy”.
If you are traveling, the CDC reminds travelers of safety precautions.
Walke said there was “no time more important than now for every American to redouble their efforts to monitor our distances, wash their hands and, most importantly, wear a mask.”
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