All people are required to wear face coverings or masks at Long Beach Airport due to the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials announced Tuesday.
"As the economy slowly reopens and the public begins to travel again, we want to ensure the safest possible experience for all passengers,'' Mayor Robert Garcia said. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a facial covering that covers the nose and mouth when in public in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.''
Long Beach Airport allows people to wear homemade facial coverings, such as bandanas, neck gaiters or cloth masks with ties or straps. Los Angeles International Airport began requiring all people to wear face coverings while visiting its facilities on Monday.
People with underlying health conditions, such as those that cause someone to have difficulty breathing, as well as small children were exempt from the LAX requirements.
"Our partners at Long Beach Airport have come together to provide a consistently safe environment while maintaining the comfortable experience our customers have come to expect,'' Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said. "We look forward to seeing more passengers but are grateful the public is taking the health order seriously and avoiding non-essential travel. LGB is ready to welcome your return.''
All five airlines serving Long Beach Airport, as well as concessions and rental car companies, now require facial coverings for both customers and employees.
Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport are also required to wear masks.
TSA officers may ask guests to adjust or remove face coverings during the security screening process. In addition to the facial covering requirement, the airport has instituted a number of safety measures, such as new disinfecting protocols and floor decals to instruct physical distancing.
