As we’re days away from Memorial Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration announced Thursday changes to the security screening process in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The TSA has seen a steady increase through airport checkpoints in the past couple of weeks.
With the new changes, which they will start rolling out in the coming weeks, the TSA said travelers should expect to:
- Keep possession of their boarding passes
- Separate food for X-ray screening
- Pack smart
- Practice social distancing
- Wear a face masks or coverings
“In the interest of TSA frontline workers and traveler health, TSA is committed to making prudent changes to our screening processes to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We continue to evaluate our security measures with an eye towards making smart, timely decisions benefiting health and safety, as well as the traveler experience.”
Those who haven’t traveled since the pandemic will notice other changes:
- Reduced security lane usage due to the reduction in passenger volume
- All TSA officers at checkpoints wearing masks and gloves
- TSA officers will continue the practice of changing gloves after each pat-down.
- Plastic shielding installed at many travel document checking podiums, divest, bag search and drop off locations.
- Routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces in the screening checkpoint area.
The TSA has started implementing these changes with more to be implemented at airport checkpoints nationwide by mid-June.
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