As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the United States, and California hits a sobering landmark of one million confirmed cases, West Coast states have issued travel advisories asking residents to stay local.
In a press release sent to KCBS Radio early Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued the advisories urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel from outside states to self-quarantine to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The advisories caution against non-essential travel that take residents out-of-state and ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.
It defines "essential travel" as travel for work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care and safety and security.
"Increased cases are adding pressure on our hospital systems and threatening the lives of seniors, essential workers and vulnerable Californians," Gov. Newsom said. "Travel increases the risk of spreading COVID-19, and we must all collectively increase our efforts at this time to keep the virus at bay and save lives."
Brown added that, "COVID-19 does not stop at state lines," recognizing that not traveling will be especially hard with Thanksgiving around the corner, but said “"the best way to keep your family safe is to stay close to home."