As Thanksgiving prompts air travel, airport officials promote safety guidelines

(WJAR) — Thanksgiving eve is a week away and air travel is expected to be at a historic low.

However, some people are still choosing to hop on a plane.

Airport officials are promoting the website FlyHealthy.gov.

It has tips and tricks to keep you safe while traveling this holiday season.

One Rhode Island resident who is traveling for the first time in more than 20 years says he feels afe before starting his trip to Louisiana.

“I’m here today to go on a little vacation,” said Gary LaRoche. “I have different kinds of masks I do have hand sanitizer.”

The pandemic has made short lines and empty counters the norm at T.F. Green Airport and other airports across the country.

But as we head into the holiday season, experts expect air travel to pick up just a little bit.

Andrew Lichan is confident his flight will be safe.

“I hope it’s pretty secure and safe. I flew six months ago really there was no one flying. I mean look airports are empty,” said Lichan.

Officials say travelers should still arrive early to get through TSA. They also want to direct people to a new website with helpful tips.

There are five aspects to the website flyhealthy.gov you should know about: Planning your trip, At the airport, Aboard the aircraft, Arrival at your destination, and, Returning home.

But some travelers aren’t worried about COVID-19.

“I feel pretty safe only because I took a COVID-19 test 72 hours before I came here,” says Lowen Hobbs.

Hobbs who flew in from California says the website would be useful but are taking their own precautions while traveling.

“I brought latex gloves just so that while I’m on the plane I have those to wear and then just washing my hands whenever I can,” he says.

Officials at the T.F. Green Airport claim it’s safe to fly.

That the airport has protocols in place to keep everyone is as safe as possible, and it starts with you, and your face covering.