Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
SA Response to COVID-19
TSA understands that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to weigh heavily on the minds of travelers and the general public. We have established this webpage to provide resources and information to assist passengers who find they must travel during this challenging time. TSA remains dedicated to our mission of ensuring that travelers get to their destinations as safely and securely as possible. For the latest press releases and statements related to COVID-19, please visit our media page.
Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Travelers are reminded to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel and prevention guidance regarding COVID-19. This includes practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly. In addition to those CDC recommendations, TSA is also recommending that you wash your hands directly before and after completing the security screening process and that you place personal items such as wallets, keys or phone in your carry-on property that will be screened through the X-ray system. You may wear a facemask during the screening process, but a TSA officer may ask you to adjust the mask to visually confirm your identity.
Employees or travelers who believe they may have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider. Employees or travelers who have tested positive for COVID-19 should seek medical attention and follow the guidance of their healthcare provider and local health department.
Security Checkpoints
While security is TSA’s top priority, the health and safety of our employees and the traveling public is of utmost importance to us. TSA remains in close communication with medical professionals, the CDC, and various government agencies as we continue to carry out our important mission.
Below are some adjustments TSA has made at security screening checkpoints in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Passenger Volumes
TSA is consolidating its screening operations to adjust for reduced flight and passenger volumes. Impacted security checkpoints may close as a result, so passengers may be redirected to other security screening checkpoints at the airport. View a comparison of TSA checkpoint screening numbers for 2019 and 2020.
- Social Distancing
TSA has implemented procedures to increase social distancing and reduce direct contact between our employees and the traveling public whenever possible – all without compromising security. Adjustments include metering passengers to increase distance between individuals as they enter the security checkpoint queue, placing visual reminders of appropriate spacing on checkpoint floors and staggering the use of lanes in the security checkpoint where feasible.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting
TSA has issued guidance to frontline employees to conduct routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and security screening equipment at the TSA security checkpoint. Other steps we are taking to make the security process safer include using a fresh pair of gloves upon passenger’s request, and using new Explosives Trace Detection swabs for each person.
- Medical Exemption for Hand Sanitizer
TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags until further notice. Since these containers exceed the standard allowance typically permitted through a checkpoint, they will need to be screened separately. This will add some time to your checkpoint screening experience. Please keep in mind that all other liquids, gels and aerosols brought to a checkpoint continue to be limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters carried in a one quart-size bag. Learn about TSA’s special procedures for traveling with medication.
- Expired Driver’s License and REAL ID Extension
If your driver’s license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver’s license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. DHS recently announced an extension of time to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. The new deadline is October 1, 2021. Learn more on TSA’s REAL ID webpage.
TSA Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
Overall, TSA has had 428 employees, both screeners and non-screeners, test positive for COVID-19. 57 employees have recovered, and 3 have unfortunately died as a result of the virus.
TSA is committed to notifying the public about airport locations where TSA employees or screening contractors have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The chart below lists airports with confirmed COVID-19 cases and the last date worked for the most recent screening employee who tested positive. It does not include non-airport TSA employees or contractors who have had limited interaction with the public. Passengers who believe they may have come in contact with an infected individual within the past 14 days should follow the CDC’s recommendations for travel-associated exposure.
*The chart includes TSA employees and screening contractors who may have had direct interaction with the public at an airport location.
| Airport | Total Confirmed Cases | TSA Screening Officers | Non-Screening Employees | Last work date of most recent screening officer confirmed case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALW - Walla Walla Regional | 1 | 1 | 3/24/2020 | |
| ATL - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International | 12 | 11 | 1 | 3/18/2020 |
| AVP - Wilkes Barre Scranton International | 2 | 2 | 3/18/2020 | |
| BNA - Nashville International | 9 | 9 | 3/24/2020 | |
| BOI - Boise Air Terminal | 4 | 4 | 3/29/2020 | |
| BOS - Logan International | 14 | 14 | 4/12/2020 | |
| BUF - Buffalo Niagara International | 1 | 1 | 3/14/2020 | |
| BWI - Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3/12/2020 |
| CLE - Cleveland-Hopkins International | 4 | 4 | 3/20/2020 | |
| DCA - Ronald Reagan Washington National | 3 | 3 | 3/28/2020 | |
| DEN - Denver International | 16 | 15 | 1 | 4/8/2020 |
| DFW - Dallas/Fort Worth International | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4/11/2020 |
| DTW - Detroit Metro Wayne County | 5 | 5 | 3/25/2020 | |
| EWR - Newark Liberty International | 45 | 37 | 8 | 4/12/2020 |
| FLL - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International | 14 | 14 | 4/1/2020 | |
| GRI - Central Nebraska Regional | 1 | 1 | 4/12/2020 | |
| GSP - Greenville-Spartanburg International | 1 | 1 | 3/31/2020 | |
| HNL - Daniel K. Inouye International Airport | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3/12/2020 |
| IAD - Washington Dulles International | 3 | 3 | 3/26/2020 | |
| IAH - George Bush Intercontinental | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4/5/2020 |
| IND - Indianapolis International | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3/29/2020 |
| IPL - Imperial County | 1 | 1 | 3/26/2020 | |
| ISP - Long Island MacArthur | 3 | 3 | 3/25/2020 | |
| JAC - Jackson Hole Airport | 3 | 3 | 3/25/2020 | |
| JAX - Jacksonville International | 1 | 1 | 3/27/2020 | |
| JFK - John F. Kennedy International | 89 | 84 | 5 | 4/13/2020 |
| LAS - McCarran International/Las Vegas | 2 | 2 | 3/19/2020 | |
| LAX - Los Angeles International | 10 | 10 | 4/6/2020 | |
| LGA - LaGuardia | 27 | 24 | 3 | 4/16/2020 |
| MCO - Orlando International | 13 | 13 | 4/5/2020 | |
| MDW - Chicago Midway International | 1 | 1 | 4/2/2020 | |
| MIA - Miami International | 16 | 14 | 2 | 4/10/2020 |
| MSO - Missoula International | 1 | 1 | 3/24/2020 | |
| MSY - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International | 26 | 25 | 1 | 4/7/2020 |
| MTJ - Montrose Regional | 1 | 1 | 3/16/2020 | |
| ONT - Ontario International | 1 | 1 | 3/27/2020 | |
| ORD - Chicago O’Hare International | 9 | 8 | 1 | 4/2/2020 |
| ORF - Norfolk International | 2 | 2 | 4/5/2020 | |
| PAE - Snohomish County Airport-Paine Field | 2 | 2 | 4/2/2020 | |
| PHL - Philadelphia International | 5 | 5 | 4/10/2020 | |
| PHX - Phoenix Sky Harbor International | 1 | 1 | ||
| PVD - Theodore Francis Green State | 1 | 1 | 3/19/2020 | |
| RSW - Southwest Florida International | 3 | 3 | 4/13/2020 | |
| SAN - San Diego International | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3/24/2020 |
| SDF - Louisville International-Standiford Field | 1 | 1 | 3/24/2020 | |
| SEA - Seattle/Tacoma International | 5 | 5 | 4/1/2020 | |
| SFO - San Francisco International Airport | 2 | 2 | 3/27/2020 | |
| SJC - Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International | 5 | 5 | 3/11/2020 | |
| SJU - Luis Munoz Marin International | 1 | 1 | 3/25/2020 | |
| SLC - Salt Lake City International | 1 | 1 | 3/24/2020 | |
| SNA - John Wayne Airport-Orange County | 1 | 1 | 3/23/2020 | |
| SRQ - Sarasota Bradenton International Airport | 1 | 1 | 3/23/2020 | |
| STT - Cyril E King | 1 | 1 | 3/13/2020 | |
| TOL - Toledo Express | 2 | 2 | 4/6/2020 | |
| TPA - Tampa International | 1 | 1 |
Travel Restrictions
The latest travel restrictions and advisories related to COVID-19 can be found on the DHS COVID-19: Protecting Air Travelers and the American Public webpage and the State Department’s website.
Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations
TSA does not make decisions about flight cancellations or airport closures. These decisions are made locally, on a case-by-case basis, by individual airlines, airports and public health officials. Before traveling, passengers should check with their airline and airports of origin and destination for the latest information on closures and cancellations.
Protecting our Workforce
TSA is taking extraordinary steps to protect our workforce, including issuing improved personal protective equipment like N95 respirators and eye protection.
Administrator David Pekoske recently responded to questions from Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson and Subcommittee Chairman J. Luis Correa on the efforts TSA has taken to protect the frontline workforce from COVID-19. You can read the letter to find out more.