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Face masks required at Denver International Airport starting Wednesday

Face masks required at Denver International Airport starting Wednesday
Posted at 12:45 PM, May 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-04 14:45:17-04

DENVER — Starting Wednesday, the Denver International Airport will require all visitors and passengers to wear face masks.

This is in accordance with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s recent public health order , which will require everybody in Denver to wear a face covering of some kind while out in public starting Wednesday, May 6.

All DIA employees are already required to wear a face mask.

Passengers will be required to wear a face mask throughout the airport and during the TSA process, DIA announced Monday morning. Travelers should be prepared to adjust their masks so TSA officers can visually confirm a person’s identity during the checkpoint screening process.

This will continue until further notice, according to DIA.

The airport’s CEO Kim Day said the health and safety of DIA passengers is the No. 1 priority.

“As we slowly enter the recovery phase of the pandemic, it is important that we each take personal responsibility to keep ourselves and our community safe,” she said.

The airport has implemented other measures to help keep passengers safe, including:

--The installation of more than 100 hand-sanitizing stations in high-traffic area
--The installation of disinfecting wipe dispensers at each gate
--Regularly cleaning high-touch areas including restrooms
--Disabling air hand dryers in restrooms
--Installing floor tape to indicate safe distance practices at customer service booths and other places where members of the public interact
--Reconfiguring TSA security lines to provide more space between passengers
--Installing plexiglass shields at screening podiums
--Spreading out seating at airport restaurants and ensure they focus on carry-out options
--Closing food court seating

Day said these measures will encourage social distancing and good hygiene in the airport.

“But this situation remains fluid,” she said. “As we prepare for people to return to travel, we continue to focus on the health and safety of our passengers and will implement additional safety measures as necessary.”

In addition, multiple airlines are asking passengers to wear face coverings while on the plane.