More governors issue coronavirus restrictions ahead of Thanksgiving amid calls to downsize gatherings

More governors across the country are issuing severe coronavirus restrictions as cases continue to increase ahead of Thanksgiving and officials are advising people to cancel their usual celebrations.

The new spate of rules and restrictions comes after several other states over the weekend issued some of the most stringent measures yet during the pandemic over concerns about surging cases and strained hospital capacity. Among the harshest -- Oregan banned indoor gatherings larger than six people from more than two households and Michigan limited gatherings, including Thanksgiving, to just two households. 

Those states on Wednesday were joined by Kentucky, Minnesota and Kansas, which issued new restrictions, and in the cases of Minnesota and Kentucky would also severely alter many families' Thanksgiving traditions. 

Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as he announced more coronavirus restrictions Wednesday, urged people not to celebrate Thanksgiving together or to have friends or family come to their homes. 

"What's really hard about this is it's some of the places that are most important to us, mainly being your home," Walz said as he detailed a four-week long order. "To invite a friend over or a brother-in-law to watch the Vikings play the Bears is one of the riskiest things we can do right now. It seems too easy and it doesn't seem like that's a big deal but that would be a big risk."