Airports are seeing nearly triple the number of passengers returning to the skies to travel since early April as some state economies reopen and people embark on summer travel plans.
The Transportation Security Administration saw some 250,000 passengers coming through U.S. airports Friday, with numbers increasing weekly as the pandemic’s domestic spread slows. That number of passengers in one day is a record high during the pandemic since the April 14 low, when about 87,000 people passed through airport security checkpoints.
In preparation for the travel spike, the TSA announced Thursday its plans to start implementing changes to screening procedures in mid-June that will make it safer for the agency’s 50,000 employees and the public.
“In the interest of TSA front-line 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.”
The TSA, an agency with the Department of Homeland Security, will amend its security checkpoint screening process to limit the cross-contamination of bins, luggage, and conveyor belts as travelers get checked before boarding flights.
Instead of turning over paper or electronic boarding passes to the TSA officer at the podium for review, each person will hold onto it and scan it themselves, preventing the spread of germs on the phone or paper. See-through shields will also be present at security checkpoint areas where officers and passengers would normally communicate in close proximity. Food items in carry-on bags should be packaged in clear bags and separated from luggage so that if they activate the X-ray machine, the TSA officer does not need to open the passenger’s belongings to see what is inside and risk spreading or picking up germs from the bag.
“Passengers should allow for social distancing to reduce direct contact between employees and travelers whenever possible without compromising security,” the TSA wrote in a statement.
TSA officers at the checkpoint will also wear personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves.
As of Thursday, 590 TSA employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, and six have died.
