Date: 202006
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Staffing
Primary problem: Staffing

Narrative: East of ZZZ received a reroute to ZZZ1 to pick up the ZZZZZ 1 arrival over ZZZZZ1. We questioned the reason and were told due to staffing issues related to COVID. We tried unsuccessfully to get a more direct route. The new route had us landing at ZZZ2 at 4.5 and we felt this not to be a safe reserve given the circumstances. Captain and I agreed the safe choice was to divert to ZZZ3. I flew and he coordinated with Dispatch for the diversion. At no time did I feel unsafe or knowingly violate any FAR or policy.I feel that we worked well as a crew to make a safe choice for our passengers.I feel that if there was knowledge of ZZZ Center having closures there should have been an added amount of fuel.


Second narrative: We departed with a fuel load of 18.8; with an expected landing fuel of 6.3 which included 0:45 reserve; alternate of ZZZ7 0:09; hold of 0:18; and Dispatch added of 0:10.  A line of thunderstorms near ZZZ would need to be navigated.  Actual landing fuel showed 5.8 as we neared ZZZ.  We had begun deviating East of ZZZ when Center issued a new routing from TMU (Traffic Management Unit) of left turn; still landing south. Landing fuel now showed 4.8; I made several requests for a worthwhile shortcut to no avail; and we were told that the delay was due to 'staffing shortages'.  We were still hundreds of miles from destination; incurring a delay that I have never heard of; and am certain that if we are getting delayed this far out there is more to come; Staffing shortages where; ZZZ Center; ZZZ TRACON?  I sure didn't know; but was confident the 4.8 fuel number; although might look okay on paper certainly wouldn't hold up.  I did not want to get lower on fuel only to find out that the 'staffing shortages' had us further delayed and with far fewer options. And it made no sense to get well beyond ZZZ1 airport or ZZZ2 airport just to turn around and land with a similar fuel problem.  With a light fuel load and a delay of unknown definition; I contacted Dispatch via crew phone and advised that I did not like this scenario and would like to stop short for fuel before this develops into a real problem.  We agreed on ZZZ3 airport; amended the release; landed; fueled; and went to ZZZ4 airport.


Synopsis: Air carrier flight reported due to ATC staffing issues the flight would have to be delay vectored. They opted to land at an alternate airport and receive more fuel; then continued on to destination.