Thanksgiving travelers arrive at Newark Airport

Americans are still heading to airports to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, despite the pandemic and guidance from health officials to limit gatherings as the virus rages throughout the country.

More than 1 million people were screened by the Transportation Safety Administration on Sunday – the most on any day since the pandemic begin in March.

Travel numbers are much lower than previous Thanksgiving holidays.

Newark Liberty International Airport, just outside New York City, was sparse with Holiday travelers Monday afternoon, but many at the airport said they had few reservations about air travel.

"I feel like the airlines are really being safe. I feel like it's safer to go on a flight than it is to the supermarket these days," said Lina Forrester, who was waiting to pick up her mother who was arriving on a flight from Egypt to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"I think we can't just stop living," Forrester told The Associated Press.