Feeling the call of the open road?
Good news: California on Thursday lifted restrictions on leisure travel in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the official recommendation is still to stay close to home.
With virus numbers continuing to improve in California, the state Department of Public Health rolled back a statewide advisory that limited leisure travel to 120 miles from home.
But at the same time, health officials are still urging people to resist hitting the road.
"We need people to just hold on for a little bit longer," said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody.
Cody said the rapid spread of coronavirus variants is too concerning to start acting like the pandemic is over.
"Keep wearing your mask, delay your travel, don’t indoor dine, don’t go to indoor bars, don’t host an indoor gathering at your home," she added. "Even if it’s allowed under the state rules, don’t do it. It’s not safe, not yet."
Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are still strongly discouraged from entering California, and the state says they should still follow CDC guidance on testing and quarantining.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out new travel-related guidelines on Friday.
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