FACE COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEGINNING MONDAY, MAY 11

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2020

CONTACT:
LAX Public Relations 
(424) 646-5430 
FACE COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED AT
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEGINNING MONDAY, MAY 11

(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.
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About Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related property in Palmdale. Both play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Both airports make a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. More information can be found at flylax.com. 

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.

 

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About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX, the sixth-busiest airport in the world serving nearly 66 million guests in 2022, is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.

To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. Initiatives underway include an Automated People Mover, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and two projects that will each add over one million square feet to the airport's existing property: Terminal 9 and Concourse 0. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.