What are US airports, TSA doing to prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Thirty-nine Transportation Security Administration officers at airports throughout the country have tested positive for coronavirus in the last two weeks, the federal agency announced Friday.

In addition to the 39 screening officers who have tested positive, six TSA employees who have had “relatively limited interaction with the traveling public” have tested positive for the virus, according to TSA.

Seventeen of the cases are from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The state has seen the most cases of coronavirus in the country. Airports in Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit, Newark and Nashville each have multiple cases, TSA said.

TSA’s website lists the work location and shift hours for each of the 39 officers who have been recently diagnosed.

“Employees or travelers who believe they may have been in contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider,” TSA said.

CNN reported there have been 64 TSA officers test positive since the outbreak began.

While thousands of international and domestic flights have been canceled this month because of the coronavirus outbreak, airports, airlines and passengers are taking extra measures to remain safe.

That includes the TSA,. Its officers will now be allowed to wear N95 respirator masks to protect them from the virus, according to the union that represents them. The union has been pushing for better protection for its officers.

“We’ve had meetings, made phone calls and sent emails almost daily urging TSA management to provide N95 masks and other protective equipment for our officers,” The American Federation of Government Employees said in a statement. “Our efforts have finally paid off.”

Around 1.5 million expired, but “fully capable,” N95 masks that were sitting in an Indiana warehouse will be given to TSA workers, according to the Washington Post.

Airlines and social distancing

Airlines are moving “very quickly overnight” to get available technology that will kill harmful bacteria on planes, said Colleen Costello, CEO of Vital Vio, which provides technology into lights that kill bacteria and germs. She told Airport-Technology.com there is no guarantees, but it’s Important for airlines and airports to be communicative with their passengers and staff.

Many airlines, including American Airlines, are making adjustments to seat assignments to ensure social distancing.

Airlines are doubling up on their cleaning efforts on planes and members areas in airports. Some airlines, such at United, are offering hand sanitizer to passengers.

Companies are also making adjustments to on-board service, as flight attendants wear gloves while providing food and beverages.

Airports open hand sanitizer stations

Airports are doing their part to slow the spread of the contagion.

Representatives with the Pittsburgh International Airport said dozens of new hand sanitizer stations have been added and crews are cleaning escalators, handrails, kiosks and public tables multiple times a day, according to KDKA.

Officials with the Los Angeles International Airport say terminal restrooms and public areas are cleaned hourly, and it is adding more than 500 hand sanitizer stations, according to KCBS.

TSA is also allowing travelers to bring 12-ounce hand sanitizer in their carry-on bags, along with disinfecting wipes. The organization has asked travelers to no longer place their wallets, keys and phone in the provided bins, but rather in their carry-on.

The administration has also closed many of its checkpoints in an effort to consolidate the screening process and spacing out the number of operational lanes, CNN reported.

This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 10:15 AM with the headline "What are US airports, TSA doing to prevent the spread of coronavirus?."