It’s summertime and after being locked down for months, many people are ready to catch a flight to their favorite destination. However, recent data is showing that many New Mexicans are contracting COVID-19 after traveling. Alfred Volden owns All World Travel, he said business was looking up until recently. “The brakes are starting to be applied because of the delta variant,” Volden said.The new variant is making travelers more aware of COVID-19. “The travelers are still there, but people are cautious, and they are, you know, are an important part of keeping them informed,” Volden said.Those travelers are being cautious for a reason. “Well, we are seeing a correlation between travel and COVID-19, and that’s to be expected, you know, when it’s summer, summer travel is a regular common thing,” said David Morgan, with the New Mexico Department of Health. The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting that as of July 12 nearly 30% of all cases reported were linked to travel outside New Mexico. This is the highest number the agency has seen in a while. “Well, absolutely, we haven’t really had the flexibility to be able to go to a lot of places these last 16 or so months, so with New Mexico opened up, with other states opened up. Of course, that’s going to increase the opportunity for all of us to be able to travel,” Morgan said.Morgan said if you are going to travel it is important to remember a few basic things. “Really just good old-fashioned common sense of being masked when you’re out in public, of being able to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, keep your distance from people,” Morgan said.Travel agents like Volden agree. “It is extremely fluid. If I tell you a requirement today, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same tomorrow, because it is changing. It’s like masks in certain destinations. Now, going back to certain cities and destinations require people to wear masks,” Volden said.We asked the health department if they had any plans to bring back travel restrictions they said at this time there is no current conversation on that. Federal law still requires all passengers on airplanes and in airports to wear a face mask.
It’s summertime and after being locked down for months, many people are ready to catch a flight to their favorite destination.
However, recent data is showing that many New Mexicans are contracting COVID-19 after traveling.
Alfred Volden owns All World Travel, he said business was looking up until recently.
“The brakes are starting to be applied because of the delta variant,” Volden said.
The new variant is making travelers more aware of COVID-19.
“The travelers are still there, but people are cautious, and they are, you know, are an important part of keeping them informed,” Volden said.
Those travelers are being cautious for a reason.
“Well, we are seeing a correlation between travel and COVID-19, and that’s to be expected, you know, when it’s summer, summer travel is a regular common thing,” said David Morgan, with the New Mexico Department of Health.
The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting that as of July 12 nearly 30% of all cases reported were linked to travel outside New Mexico. This is the highest number the agency has seen in a while.
“Well, absolutely, we haven’t really had the flexibility to be able to go to a lot of places these last 16 or so months, so with New Mexico opened up, with other states opened up. Of course, that’s going to increase the opportunity for all of us to be able to travel,” Morgan said.
Morgan said if you are going to travel it is important to remember a few basic things.
“Really just good old-fashioned common sense of being masked when you’re out in public, of being able to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, keep your distance from people,” Morgan said.
Travel agents like Volden agree.
“It is extremely fluid. If I tell you a requirement today, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same tomorrow, because it is changing. It’s like masks in certain destinations. Now, going back to certain cities and destinations require people to wear masks,” Volden said.
We asked the health department if they had any plans to bring back travel restrictions they said at this time there is no current conversation on that.
Federal law still requires all passengers on airplanes and in airports to wear a face mask.
