North Country airports get new TSA shields at checkpoints

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently installed new acrylic shields at the security checkpoints at two North Country airports.

The Watertown International Airport in Dexter in Jefferson County and the Ogdensburg International Airport in Oswegatchie in St. Lawrence County have received the protection devices.

The shield installations are part of the federal agency’s ongoing efforts to implement initiatives to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The protective barriers have been installed in areas where TSA officers typically interact with passengers. This includes the travel-document checking podium, the divesting areas where travelers prepare their carry-on personal items for X-ray screening, and the property-search areas.

“The addition of these new shields where passengers and TSA officers interact is one of several initiatives that TSA has put in place with the goal of reducing the likelihood of cross contamination among travelers and TSA employees to help stop the spread of the coronavirus,” Bart Johnson, TSA’s federal security director for upstate New York, said in a statement. 

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

The TSA also reminds travelers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel guidance as well as local and state advisories regarding COVID-19.