Mitchell International has busiest day since start of pandemic
MILWAUKEE —
Saturday was the busiest travel day at Mitchell International Airport since the pandemic began.
“The second busiest will be next Saturday,” marketing coordinator Christie Green told 12 News. “We are prepared, our vendors have extra merchandise and extra staff on hand, we have advanced cleaning and electrostatic cleaning throughout the airport. We have extra free masks. We have social distancing and parking has extra shuttle busses running.”
Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin
TSA spokespeople told 12 News 9,150 people traveled through the airport Saturday compared to the past year when it was closer to 2,000. They said in a normal year the number would be closer to 11,000.
The most popular destinations this weekend are Florida, Arizona and the Caribbean.
There were 34 departures to warm destinations Saturday.
Travelers WISN 12 News spoke with were not concerned about COVID-19 rates, and said they feel safer now than they have in the past year.
“This is the first big trip, we really haven’t gone any place because of the pandemic, but I got my two shots, I’m old, I got my shots I’m good to go,” said Jerry Hulbert, who is heading to Panama City Beach Florida for a few weeks.
Most travelers 12 News spoke to were heading out for spring break. One said it was to celebrate her honeymoon.
“We attempted to get married in October, got diagnosed with COVID two days before, had to cancel it, got married by ourselves, canceled our honeymoon, so this is our honeymoon,” said Amanda Egnarski, who is heading off to sunny Arizona.
Local health leaders urge anyone traveling to remain vigilant to not bring back cases to our community.
“Remember when you’re traveling, the things that keep you safe in Milwaukee are going to be the same things that keep you safe wherever you may be traveling. That vigilance you follow at home is even more important to follow while traveling,” said Darren Rausch, of the Greenfield Health Department.
“The act of traveling itself doesn’t necessarily increase your risk, but most often the types of things you do while you’re traveling do put you at risk,” said Rausch. “If you live in the Milwaukee area and you’re being safe and you’re staying at home and you now travel to Miami, and you’re going to spend time on the beach… and go to bars and restaurants and other higher risk events, that’s going to put you at greater risk.”
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