Denver Mayor Told Not to Travel for Thanksgiving... Controversy Over 'Naeronambul'

Request to Refrain from Traveling to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Boarded Flight to Texas to Meet Family in 30 Minutes, Facing Criticism

▲Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The mayor of Denver, Colorado, has come under fire after urging citizens to refrain from Thanksgiving travel while it was revealed that he himself took a flight to visit his family.

According to Fox News and others on the 25th (local time), Michael Hancock, the mayor of Denver, asked people to avoid Thanksgiving travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, it was revealed that he boarded a flight to Houston, Texas, shortly afterward to meet his family.

On that day, Mayor Hancock posted Thanksgiving health guidelines on Twitter, appealing, "Please stay home as much as possible," and "Instead of face-to-face dinners, hold online family gatherings, and avoid travel if possible."

Earlier, on the 18th, he had sent an email to city officials urging them to refrain from traveling and confidently stated that he would also "cancel the traditional large family gathering."

However, Mayor Hancock's commitment turned out to be false.

He posted a message on Twitter urging people to avoid Thanksgiving travel and boarded a plane to meet his wife and daughter just 30 minutes later.

The Denver mayor's office explained that Mayor Hancock took a three-day leave for the Thanksgiving family gathering.

Facing criticism over his contradictory behavior, Mayor Hancock issued an apology statement seven hours later, saying, "I apologize to the residents of Denver," and "I ask for forgiveness from those who are angry and disappointed by my decision."