Acrylic barriers installed at LaGuardia to protect passengers and staff

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is in the process of installing new acrylic barriers at security checkpoints throughout LaGuardia Airport as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The protective barriers are being installed in areas where officers usually interact with passengers. This includes the travel document checking podium and the divesting area where travellers prepare their carry-on luggage for X-ray screening. 

“The installation of these barriers is the latest initiative that TSA has put in place at security checkpoints, with the goal of reducing the likelihood of cross contamination among travellers and employees,” said Robert Duffy, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “These shields provide a substantial layer of protection to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.”

TSA recently awarded a contract to purchase and install 1,230 acrylic barriers at 37 priority airports nationwide. Nearby John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airports are among the airports scheduled to have barriers installed.

Additional contracts for shields for more airports will be awarded, starting in September.

TSA continues to promote its ‘Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.’ campaign, designed to advise travellers of airport checkpoint modifications and procedures to contain the spread of COVID-19. These include social distancing, reduced physical contact between travellers and TSA officers during the screening process, use of personal protective equipment by TSA officers, and extra cleaning and disinfecting in the security checkpoint.