TSA ID checkpoint

TSA Requires Security Officers to Wear Masks in Screening Areas to Prevent Coronavirus Spread

The agency plans to receive millions of masks in the next few weeks to distribute to employees, but most agents will wear surgical masks rather than the more expensive N95 respirators.

Airport security agents will now be required to wear masks in screening areas to prevent further spreading of the coronavirus, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed on Thursday.

Employees were informed of the policy during a virtual town hall with Administrator David Pekoske on Wednesday. On Thursday, the agency officially announced mandatory mask policies for security officers, federal air marshals and baggage employees.

Already, more than 500 TSA employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and at least six have died, according to The Washington Post.

“TSA is making this change to protect our employees and travelers as social distancing cannot always be maintained in the screening process,” Pekoske said in a statement.

Previously, masks had been optional for employees, many of whom had advocated for better provisions of surgical masks and N95 respirators, which provide stronger protection against airborne disease. According to Reuters, Pekoske said during the town hall that TSA will receive millions of masks in the next few weeks, but most would be surgical masks rather than the more costly N95s.

Read More: TSA Faces Record-Low Numbers of Travelers, Coronavirus Outbreak Among Employees

Pekoske added that the airport screening process will never become “completely touchless,'' though the TSA will allow passengers to go through machines twice in order to reduce pat downs and close contact. Other steps have been taken at airports across the country: Floor markers have been installed to help travelers maintain social distancing, and some clear barriers have been put in place to stagger lines so that passengers are more spaced out.

“We can reduce the number of times we get in close proximity to a passenger to a significant degree and then mitigate a good portion of the rest of the risk with personal protective equipment,” Pekoske said.

No decision has been made about required temperature checks of passengers, noting that questions were still unanswered about where those checks would take place and which government agency would perform them, Reuters reported.

The TSA announcement also did not address if travelers will be required to wear face coverings, though they are already encouraged to do so. Individual airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, are making masks mandatory for travelers, and airlines such as Delta and United are implementing similar policies.

Airlines for America, a major trade group representing North American airlines, applauded TSA’s move on Thursday but called for further action on passenger requirements.

“While requiring facial coverings for TSA officers is an important and necessary step, we encourage the TSA and U.S. airports to similarly require facial protection for all travelers, in keeping with CDC recommendations,” A4A said in a press release. “This would ensure needed consistency for the duration of the passenger journey and instill greater confidence for the traveling public that the airlines, airports and federal government are prioritizing their health and safety.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.