The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Delta Air Lines have announced the introduction of the latest technology to fight respiratory viral contamination at security checkpoints at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Beginning this month at MSP’s Terminal 1, as well as Delta’s other hubs at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and in New York City at both LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), solid black antimicrobial bins will replace those used previously.
Studies have shown that the standard security tubs carried the highest risk of transferring viral surface contamination between users. In fact, security bins were found to carry and potentially transfer more virus than airport toilet seats. This, of course, is critical in the fight against the COVID19 coronavirus. Virtually every traveler passing through TSA checkpoints handles a bin at one time or another, so the urgency for implementing this technology has been heightened.
If you are traveling anytime in the future, TSA still strongly advises passengers to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water before and after clearing airport security. As an additional safeguard, TSA encourages travelers to empty their pockets prior to arrival at the checkpoint, placing their personal items into their carry-on luggage, and not into the bin itself.
And it bears worth repeating until this public health crisis is over…..wear a mask, wear a mask, wear a mask, at all times in the airport terminal including at the gate and in the restrooms. All airlines have mandated the use of face coverings in the gate area, while boarding, and inflight. Travelers who refuse to wear a mask may be asked to deplane before departure, or if the infraction takes place during the flight, may be banned indefinitely from future flights on that airline.
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