Sky Harbor Airport: Masks Required Or Not?

As of June 1, 2020, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport requires all employees and members of the public to wear face coverings when entering airport facilities, including terminals, the rental car center, and airport buses. The airport has implemented several COVID-19 safety measures, including increased cleaning, social distancing, and the use of clear plastic shields at counters. Face coverings can be purchased at the airport, but travelers are encouraged to bring their own. Scarves, bandanas, and homemade cloth masks are all acceptable forms of face coverings, as long as they cover the nose and mouth.

Face coverings can be homemade

As travel restrictions began to loosen and planes returned to the runways, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport required all travelers, flight crew, and staff to wear protective face coverings starting June 1, 2020. The airport has implemented several COVID-19 safety steps, including installing clear plastic shields at counters, increasing the cleaning frequency and monitoring of restrooms, and introducing hand sanitizing dispensers.

Several stores at the airport also sell masks, and hand sanitizer stations have been installed. The airport recommends that passengers give themselves plenty of time and download their boarding passes on their phones before arriving at the airport to minimize printing and handling paper.

Exceptions to the mask policy include children 12 years or younger unless parents or caregivers supervise the use of face coverings; people whose disabilities prevent them from using a mask; and people eating or drinking or those who need to uncover their faces for identification.

Masks must cover nose and mouth

As travel restrictions began to loosen and planes returned to the runways, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport required all travellers, flight crew, and staff to wear protective face coverings starting June 1, 2020. The face coverings must be worn tight over the nose and mouth at all times. However, the term "face coverings" can be used loosely, and scarves, bandanas, towels, and even turtlenecks are also considered acceptable.

Exceptions to the mask policy include children 12 years or younger unless parents or caregivers supervise the use of face coverings; people whose disabilities prevent them from using a mask; and people as they eat and drink or need to uncover their faces for identification.

The airport has implemented several other COVID-19 safety steps, including installing clear plastic shields at counters, increasing the cleaning frequency and monitoring of restrooms and "high-touch" surfaces like handrails, and increasing the disinfection of restrooms and waiting areas.

Travellers, employees, and visitors to the airport should bring their own face coverings to wear throughout the airport. However, several airport stores sell masks, with more stores planning to offer additional options. These face coverings do not have to be commercially purchased and can be homemade cloth masks or bandanas.

Exceptions to the rule

As of June 1, 2020, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport requires all employees, travellers, and members of the public to wear face coverings when entering public airport facilities, including the terminals, the rental car centre, the PHX Sky Train, and airport buses. Face coverings must be worn tightly over the nose and mouth at all times. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Children aged 12 and under are exempt from wearing masks unless their parents or caregivers supervise their use of face coverings. People with disabilities or certain health requirements that prevent them from wearing masks are also exempt. Additionally, individuals are allowed to temporarily remove their masks when eating, drinking, or during identification processes.

It is important to note that while these exceptions are in place, the airport still encourages individuals who fall under these categories to maintain physical distancing and practice good hygiene whenever possible. The airport has implemented various safety measures, such as increased cleaning and sanitization, physical distancing markers, and hand sanitizing dispensers, to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.

Passengers who require exemptions are encouraged to give themselves extra time at the airport and follow recommendations such as using a mobile boarding pass to minimize contact and potential exposure. The airport also recommends that travellers refer to their specific airline's website for additional policies and requirements related to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stores sell masks

As of June 1, 2020, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport requires all employees and travellers to wear a face mask in public areas of the airport. This includes the terminals, the Rental Car Center, the PHX Sky Train, and Airport buses.

If you don't have a mask, don't worry – several stores at the airport sell masks, and you can also use a homemade cloth mask or a bandana as long as your nose and mouth are covered.

If you're looking to purchase a mask before your trip, there are plenty of options available to you. Many retailers now sell masks, including popular stores like Old Navy, Disney, and Anthropologie. You can also buy masks online from websites like Amazon, Zappos, and StringKing.

• Hot Chillys Chil-Block Half Mask ($25 @ Zappos)
• Noordi Antimicrobial Face Mask ($6 @ Samuel Johnston)
• Los Angeles Apparel Face Mask 3-Pack ($30 @ Los Angeles Apparel)
• Cloth Face Mask ($6.99 @ StringKing)
• Disposable Masks 50-Pack ($5.99 @ Amazon)

Other COVID-19 safety steps

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport implemented several COVID-19 safety steps to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. Here are some of the measures they have taken:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor has installed several UV-C LED light sterilizers, which kill about 99.9% of disease-causing germs, on escalators in Terminals 3 and 4.
• The airport has placed social distancing signs on floors and throughout terminals to encourage social distancing of at least 6 feet when possible.
• They have implemented a 24-hour cleaning schedule, increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, especially in high-touch areas like handrails, restrooms, and waiting areas.
• The airport has installed clear plastic shields at counters and other interaction points to provide a physical barrier between individuals.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor has made personal protective equipment (PPE) available for sale in their shops and vending machines, including disposable and cloth masks, hand sanitizers, hygiene kits, and gloves.
• The airport has also installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the airport for both customers and employees to use.
• They have introduced safety signage and messaging at entryways, on the PHX Sky Train, on the Rental Car Center buses, and on the airport website to remind individuals of safety protocols.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor has earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star Facility Accreditation for its commitment to cleanliness and safety.

Frequently asked questions