TSA said it screened nearly 1.3 million travelers on Sunday

The Transportation Security Administration screened nearly 1.3 million people the Sunday after Christmas. That marks a new high for air travel, since back in March when it came to a virtual halt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and others this year from the Covid-19 virus. But many American are still traveling.

On December 27, a total of 1,284,599 people passed through TSA at airports nationwide. Sunday was also the sixth day in the last 10 that the TSA screened more than one million travelers. Sunday’s number are still 50% lower than the same weekday last year, but it’s a big rebound since the lowest point for air travel back in mid April. Just 87,534 people passed through TSA checkpoints on April 14.

The CDC recommends that people who have traveled over the holiday season get tested for Covid-19 one to three days before their trips. Testing should also be done three to five days afterwards and quarantine is suggested at least a week. Those who do not get tested should reduce nonessential activities for 10 days after travel, the CDC says.

More than 63,000 Americans died of COVID-19 in December, making it the deadliest month of the pandemic. The busy holiday travel season could heighten the COVID-19 spread and overwhelm hospitals.