ORLANDO, Fla. — Wednesday is expected to be the second-busiest of the holiday long weekend when it comes to travel.

This holiday travel season is expected to look much different thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and cases are expected to keep rising during the winter months ahead.   

National health leaders are urging people to stay home for Thanksgiving, but plenty are deciding to travel, including those at a crowded Orlando International Airport.


What You Need To Know


Orlando airport officials said they expect more than 36,000 travelers at the airport Wednesday.

The American Medical Association recommends always wearing a mask covering your nose and mouth while traveling. If you are sick, do not fly.

The association also recommends staying seated during your flight to reduce physical contact.

National health leaders have this warning:

"The safest thing to do this Thanksgiving is not travel,” Dr. Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health, said. “There are millions of people in airports, etc. If you do travel, please look at that CDC website, now how to be safe, wash your hands, wear a mask, distance."

The Vanegas family from Orlando is heading to Puerto Rico to surprise family for a small Thanksgiving gathering.

"We figure if they're allowing us to travel, we're taking precautionary measures, wearing our masks, constantly cleaning our hands," father Will Vanegas said.

"We did the COVID test recently as a family, we're all negative," he added.

Vicki Hart is heading to Indiana to see her daughter and grandchildren, who she hasn't seen in a year because of the pandemic.

"We just want to isolate and be together. They're 12 and 14, and after a year they've changed," she said.

Hart brought hand sanitizer and wipes with her.

"I'm a little apprehensive, but at this point, I had to weigh the risk against living life," she continued.​

The American Medical Association says the risk of catching coronavirus on a plane is low, partly because of airflow.

But, the CDC says traveling increases the chance of getting the virus, and staying home is the best way to stay safe.

Over the past few days, we've been seeing long lines at coronavirus testing sites across Central Florida.