TSA announces some changes to its airport security procedures

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Transportation Security Administration announces changes to their security procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lucas Welsh is a firefighter from Columbus, Ohio. He was flying away from the SRQ today and he said he was happy that the TSA was making some changes.

“I mean if they do extra things to protect us, that’s great,” Welsh said. “If we can prevent more people from contracting this virus, much better.”

The TSA says passengers will now be allowed to carry 12-ounce liquid, people will not hand over their boarding passes but will scan it themselves, take-out food will be screened separately, and social distancing will take place at all their passengers. checkpoints. Passengers are also advised to wear a mask.

“I think it’s a combined effort,” said Mark Stuckey, executive vice president of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. “The airport authority, the TSA and the airlines all work together to make sure travelers get to and from the airport.

SRQ has also stepped up its efforts. They require their workers to wear face masks, they have installed plastic screens at counters, have social distancing markers throughout the airport, as well as hand sanitizing stations.

“We are following the standard best practices that all airports use and have doubled our cleaning staff,” Stuckey said. “So we have a lot of cleaning staff who clean all the touch points in the terminal.”

Here are some frequently asked questions, straight from the TSA website:

Can I wear a mask at a checkpoint?

Yes, travelers are allowed to wear masks, but a TSA officer may ask the traveler to adjust the mask during the security screening process.

Can I ask TSA officers to use new gloves and swabs during the screening?

The TSA still requires frontline staff to wear nitrile gloves during screening duties, and travelers may request that new gloves be used during the screening process. The TSA also instructed officers to use fresh explosives detection swabs for each passenger when testing for explosives during this crisis.

Does the TSA require its employees who have come into contact with an infected employee to quarantine? Or is it optional?

Yes, the TSA is asking employees who come in close contact with another employee diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate or self-quarantine, as appropriate.

My National Motor Vehicle Office is closed during the pandemic, so I cannot get a TRUE ID by October 1. What should I do ?

The Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for applying REAL ID by 12 months. The new deadline is October 1, 2021.

My driver’s license expired during the pandemic and my national motor vehicle office is closed. Will I still be able to fly?

Yes. If your driver’s license or state issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020 and you cannot renew it with your state driver’s license agency, you can still l ” use as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. The TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued identification for one year after expiration.

Can I still register or renew my PreCheck â„¢ subscription during the pandemic?

Yes, however, due to changing public health circumstances and circumstances, some TSA Precheck enrollment centers may close for a period of time in order to ensure the safety, health and welfare of staff and public. Applicants planning to visit an Enrollment Center should use the ‘Find an Enrollment Center’ feature at the bottom of the Enrollment Services home page (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator) to determine if the center is open, its hours of operation and whether appointments are required.

If there are any changes to PreCheck â„¢ registration appointments, will TSA contact clients in advance?

Yes, customers with canceled appointments are notified and have the option to book in another open location. The ability to book appointments at other locations depends on the overall availability of the site in a particular region.

If you are planning to visit an Enrollment Center, please use the “Find an Enrollment Center” feature at the bottom of the home page (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator) to determine if the center is open and its hours of operation. TSA strongly recommends that you make an appointment and not go to an enrollment center. This will ensure you receive a notification if your appointment is canceled and allow the center to manage / limit the number of people arriving at the same time.

Where can I find the passenger statistics that show a decrease in the number of passengers that I have seen in the news?

Domestic passenger volume numbers are available here. The TSA has seen a significant decrease in the number of passengers passing security checkpoints since the start of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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