On Friday, TSA examined 1,580,785 people at all U.S. airports, a record since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Why it’s important: The figures come a day after director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rochelle Walensky said that while the agency says fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk, the CDC still does not recommend trips not essential due to the increase in virus cases, according to NPR.
The big picture: TSA has reported more than a million passengers screened daily since March 11.
- TSA spokesman Mark Howell told Axios that the increase is thanks to the spring break.
Yes, but: “It’s too early to tell if the trips are back. After all, TSA detection numbers are still pale compared to pre-pandemic passenger levels,” CBS News writes.
What they say: The agency is preparing to increase travel during the summer months, Howell told Axios.
- TSA in February said it wanted to hire 6,000 new officers this summer.
- While the agency expects a potential increase in travel, they don’t know if summer figures will reach pre-pandemic levels.