Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said employees must wear facial protection while at screening checkpoints to minimize COVID-19 spread and raise the airport environment’s overall health and safety level.
“TSA is making this change to protect our employees and travelers as social distancing cannot always be maintained in the screening process,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.
Wearing protective eyewear remains voluntary by TSA personnel who are serving in an active screening position. Passengers are encouraged to wear facial protection, and individuals may be asked to momentarily lower their facial covering for identity verification purposes or if screening equipment alarms on it.
The agency is considering further changes to its screening system to minimize the risk further and to limit physical interactions in the security checkpoint.
TSA officials said the agency would continue to communicate changes to the screening experience with the traveling public as decisions are made while following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding workforce protection.
Travelers are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel and prevention guidance regarding COVID-19, per the TSA, indicating anyone seeking more information about the TSA response to the pandemic and other adjustments the agency has made at security screening checkpoints should visit tsa.gov/coronavirus.