TAMPA, Fla. — Millions of Americans are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, despite warnings from health experts to stay home.
Passengers at Tampa International Airport tell ABC Action News, being with family is the driving force behind traveling during a pandemic.
“It’s very important that you see your loved ones, practicing the guidelines, even if you can be in the presence of them, that’s the most important thing in this world,” said James Reed, who flew in from Chicago Tuesday night.
Health officials say Thanksgiving travel, paired with gatherings, could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases.
“What we’re doing now is going to be reflected, two, three weeks from now,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday.
More than three million people were screened at TSA checkpoints between Friday and Sunday.
According to officials at Tampa International Airport, nearly 40,000 people passed through the airport on Sunday.
That’s by far the most since traffic plunged in late March due to the pandemic.
For some perspective, the airport saw about 80,000 passengers per day this time last year.
A spokesperson says they predict the busiest travel days at Tampa International Airport will come Wednesday and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
