SOUTH BEACH, Fla. — The annual ritual of the "Spring break" getaway won't be much of a break this year. Only a small amount of people are expected to hit the road during the pandemic...
The U.S. Travel Association says only about 12 percent of Americans, or one in eight, will make a spring break journey this year....
This number reportedly dropped from 16 percent just last week. The low number probably stems from hesitancy to travel until vaccines are more readily available.
While some international destinations are easing restrictions, some US locations are putting tighter safety measures in place during "high impact" periods.
Spring break is underway in Florida, officials there are trying to control the visiting students to avoid a new coronavirus outbreak. Last year's spring break got effectively killed when the beaches closed to the public, but this year, the sand, surf and sunshine are wide open.
That's a big concern for city leaders in Florida hot spots, who've suggested wild and crazy kids go to Vegas instead. They fear that a year of pandemic isolation will fuel pent up demand to party and lead to the spread of COVID.
Florida's $90 billion dollar-a-year tourism economy feeds on Florida's lack of snow and spring break is a major boost to hotels, bars and restaurants, which all lost a lot of money last year when the crowds disappeared.
But some spring breakers may be surprised at tighter rules.
In south beach, there's a midnight curfew, a mask mandate, social distancing rules, 400 cops patrolling day and night, no coolers allowed, no open containers and arrests and citations will be made.
In Fort Lauderdale, it's more lax...there is no curfew.
Last year, the CDC did some post-spring break COVID analysis and found there definitely was some spread, which made its way on back to the home towns across the country. Exactly how much spread is difficult to pin down.
The CDC is recommending that you do not travel during this time.