(Los Angeles, CA) Beginning Monday, May 11, all persons within Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) terminals will be required to wear face coverings. This policy is in line with guidance from public health officials and mirrors the City of Los Angeles’ policy regarding the use of face coverings in stores and restaurants. The new direction extends an existing policy that all Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) employees must wear face coverings in public areas of terminals and office buildings. Anyone not wearing a face covering will be asked to put one on.
Guests should bring a face covering with them so they can be worn throughout the airport journey. As per the city and county guidance, face coverings can be fabric face coverings, scarves or bandanas. Face coverings can be made from a T-shirt, towel or other fabric held in place by rubber bands or other fasteners. City guidance on face coverings can be found here: https://corona-virus.la/FaceCovering.
Federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers may ask guests to adjust or remove face coverings during the security screening process. The TSA also recommends that passengers wash their hands directly before and after completing the security screening process and that they place personal items such as wallets, keys or phone in carry-on property that will be screened through the X-ray system. TSA guidance can be found here: https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus.
Many airlines have already begun or will be implementing policies requiring face coverings on airplanes. Similar to airline policies, guests at LAX are allowed to remove their masks for a short time in order to consume food or beverages, but must put their masks back on when they are finished eating.
LAWA will be communicating the requirement for face coverings via social media, signage throughout the terminals, and working with partners operating at the airport to ensure they are communicating the requirement to their passengers and customers as well. The airport previously added signage directing guests to practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently and directing those who are sick not to enter any terminal or office building, and that guidance still stands.
Since first learning of the COVID-19 virus (novel coronavirus), Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has been working with federal, state and local partners to take action to protect the health of all those who travel through and work at LAX. This includes partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LA County Health) to ensure that best practices to keep employees and guests safe are being employed, as well as coordinating with government partners, airlines, concessions and other airport stakeholders. |
