U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) introduced the Healthy Skies Act on Thursday, an act that would require a trial program on passenger temperature screenings of airline passengers.
In partnership with Reps. Ted Budd (R-NC) and John Larson (D-CT), Norman said the legislation would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to run the trial program that would check passenger temperatures at TSA checkpoints prior to passengers being allowed to proceed through airport security.
“As we work to get our nation back on its feet, we must continue to identify ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Air travel poses unique challenges on this front, and it’s important to study and understand how TSA checkpoints might play a role in our fight against this and future pandemic,” Norman said.
If passed, the legislation would require the TSA to identify at least 10 domestic airports for the screening program. Passengers with temperatures that exceed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for fevers would not be allowed through security.
While Norman said it was “not likely to identify travelers who have COVID-19 but are asymptomatic,” the legislation would protect travelers and airline employees by discouraging and preventing travelers who have common symptoms of COVID-19 from boarding a commercial aircraft. It will help Congress and health officials better understand how TSA checkpoints can serve as a way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“Reopening America should be the top priority of our government. Making sure air travelers are healthy enough to fly is a commonsense way to boost passenger confidence and jumpstart economic activity. That’s how we can stop the spread of the virus and continue a great American comeback,” Budd said.