Know the updated TSA guidelines before traveling
The coronavirus pandemic is hammering the travel industry, leaving some of the United States’ busiest airports eerily quiet.
If you haven’t stepped foot in an airport since the holidays, here’s what to expect when you go through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, which ramped up protective measures in early February as the virus began to spread outside its epicenter in Wuhan, China.
You can take masks, cleaning supplies and more sanitizer through security
The TSA said it will allow passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags. “Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately, which will add some time,” TSA said.
TSA also shared a Twitter video Thursday detailing which sanitary items passengers can pack in their carry-on luggage to help them “stay healthy.”
In the video, a woman flashes carry-on-approved items like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes while yelling “yup!” “Now that I have your attention, let’s have a serious conversation,” the video says. “Yes, you can bring that hand sanitizer through the checkpoint, yes you can bring the individually wrapped hand wipes, and yes you can bring your travel-sized pack of hand wipes through the checkpoint. You can even bring the jumbo-sized if you like, and of course, tissues.”
The video adds that passengers can request that TSA officers change their gloves when inspecting items. If you are wearing a face mask, she says you should not to be alarmed if agents ask you to pull it down so they can make sure you match your ID.
TSA agents still patting passengers down
Passengers who do chose to fly will continue to interact with TSA agents throughout the airport, from those checking IDs to possible pat-downs at the security lines.
TSA agents are being encouraged to regularly wash their hands, cover coughs and wear surgical masks if they wish to do so. Officers are also required to wear nitrile gloves, and swabs used to check passengers’ luggage will not be reused. TSA has also directed officers to use a fresh swab for each passenger when testing for explosive material. Agents change their gloves as needed, but travelers may request that they change gloves prior to being screened.
What about bins?
The TSA says bins used in the security checkpoint are like any other piece of public property and should be treated as such. With hundreds of travelers going through airport security checkpoints each hour, TSA recommends travelers follow CDC guidelines and wash their hands before and after the security screening process.
There are new recommendations centered on items that go in your pockets. TSA says not to place personal items such as wallets, keys or phone in a bin. Instead, secure those items in your carry-ons, which will be screened through the X-ray system.
Be prepared to answer questions about your recent travel history
Screeners will ask travelers if they’ve been to affected countries, such as China, South Korea and Italy. They will also ask passengers if they have any symptoms of acute respiratory illness and check their temperature. On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services revealed more details about the government’s plans to expand coronavirus screening in the United States, with 20 participating airports.
Travelers flying from China to one of the 20 airports will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about their travel, any symptoms and contact information.
CDC staff will also take travelers’ temperatures with a handheld thermometer that doesn’t touch the skin and watch for signs of a cough or difficulty breathing.
In the case of travelers who appear sick, the CDC will evaluate them further to determine whether the passenger should be taken to a hospital for further care. However, the first two U.S. cases, in Seattle and Chicago, involved travelers who didn’t show symptoms at the airport.
For travelers without symptoms, the CDC is handing out health information cards with details on the symptoms they should look for up to two weeks after leaving China.