Am I required to wear a face mask while at the airport?
To keep you and those around you safe, all airport visitors, passengers, and employees are required to wear a mask or facial covering while on the SAN campus per the California Department of Public Health. This includes while in the terminals, the parking garage, arrival and departures drives, rideshare waiting areas, and rental car facility. Exceptions include when you are eating, drinking or managing personal hygiene with proper distancing. Additionally, as stated by California Department of Public Health, persons with a medical or mental health condition, or developmental disability that prevents wearing a face covering shall be exempt from this requirement.
How are face coverings enforced at the airport?
We are in challenging times, and to combat COVID-19 we all have to be vigilant and work together. San Diego International Airport, as well as the entire aviation industry, has been working diligently to address new federal, state, and local regulations. One of the more challenging things we face in today's pandemic environment is enforcement of facial coverings. There are different requirements for various airlines, airports, counties and states. For passengers, it is their responsibility to be informed of, and comply with, public health orders in the areas in which they are traveling.
It is a California Department of Public Health mandate that everyone who is able must wear a facial covering while in public spaces. All airport employees, passengers, and tenants, including TSA, concessionaires, and airline personnel, are required to wear facial coverings when in high-risk situations, such as within any indoor public place and while outdoors within 6 feet of another individual. We mandate that our tenant employers hold their employees accountable and enforce the facial covering requirement.
At San Diego International Airport we are seeing that, by and large, the majority of people who are able to wear facial coverings are wearing them in the terminals. Our policy has been to approach those without a facial covering and provide them with a card that informs them of the facial covering requirement on airport property. If they are not in possession of a facial covering, we have provided one or let them know they can purchase one at many of our concessions or through vending machines. Harbor Police Department is the airport's law enforcement partner and their approach has also been to educate and inform passengers about the facial covering requirement.
Our hope is that individuals will take personal responsibility and hold themselves accountable to local public health orders and laws. By wearing a facial covering, you are greatly reducing the potential for spreading the coronavirus to others.
What if I can’t wear a face covering for health reasons?
As stated by California Department of Public Health, persons with a medical or mental health condition, or developmental disability that prevents wearing a face covering are exempt from this requirement.
What is TSA’s mask requirement during screening?
TSA allows you to wear a facial covering during the screening process however, a TSA officer may ask you to adjust the mask to visually confirm your identity.
What is defined as a cloth facial covering?
According to the California Department of Public Health, a cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
Can I purchase a face covering at the airport?
Our concessionaires and vending machines located in the terminals have face coverings as well as other personal protective equipment available for purchase. The Information Desks in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have complimentary facial coverings for passengers.
Does the airline require me to wear a facial covering?
Many domestic and international airlines require travelers to wear face coverings. It is possible that you will be denied boarding if you do not have a mask to wear while on the flight. For the latest information regarding airline requirements, we strongly suggest checking with your airline.
Where can I get more information about COVID-19?
- For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.
- For State of California coronavirus information, click here.
- For the Transportation Security Administration, click here.
- For San Diego County coronavirus information, click here.
Is the airport open?
The airport remains open, in full operation as an essential critical infrastructure in the transportation systems sector. We continue to work closely with federal, state and local public health partners to help mitigate the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of everyone at SAN.
Are passengers being screened for coronavirus at SAN?
At SAN, the Centers for Disease Control has not at this time ordered thermal-imaging screening of passengers. Per CDC guidance, if airport personnel encounter an ill passenger, they are to contact the CDC directly for further assessment. The CDC has also provided SAN with specific guidance to help local EMS providers responding to medical calls at the airport assess and identify potentially infected travelers. In collaboration with CDC and CBP, we have posted an informational graphic on monitors in the terminals that educates passengers on steps they can take if they are feeling sick.
Is there a two week self quarantine requirement for people flying into San Diego?
Please visit coronavirus-sd.com for the latest information from County public health officials regarding COVID-19 in San Diego. If there is a requirement to self quarantine it would be mentioned on that page. Additionally, we encourage you to visit the CDC's travel page for information and resources.
I have reservations to fly to/from SAN and want to find out more information about my flight, what should I do?
We suggest you contact the airline directly for the most up to date information on flights to/from SAN.
What can I bring with me through security?
Please visit the TSA website for information on what is permitted through security checkpoints. Additionally, TSA is now allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint screening experience.
What is your lost and found policy?
Effective 03/18/2020, the SAN Lost and Found office will only accept inquires via the Lost and Found webpage, by phone (619) 400-2140, or by email lostandfound@san.org, customers will not be permitted in the office due to the CDC’s social distancing recommendation.
Until further notice, only critical items will be accepted by the Lost and Found office. Examples of critical items include government issued IDs, passports, baggage, jewelry, medication, medical devices, high end electronics, and legal documents. Any other items accepted or released will be at management’s discretion. Items will be returned to customers via FedEx on Monday and Friday at the expense of the property owner.
What can I expect upon returning to the U.S. on an international flight?
The CDC has not at this time ordered thermal-imaging screening of passengers here at SAN. Additionally, International flights from Europe are restricted to entering the country through one of 13 designated airports, of which SAN is not. Those two things mean that SAN is not currently experiencing additional delays in Customs and Immigration. The CDC has informed us that if Customs and Border Protection personnel at our International Arrivals facility encounter an ill passenger, they are to contact the CDC directly for further assessment.
Have flights to/from SAN been canceled?
Airlines are assessing their scheduled flights daily and making changes due to COVID-19 and other operational needs. We recommend checking with the airline directly regarding your upcoming flights to ensure you have the latest information. Airline contact information can be found here.
How much time should I plan for if I am coming to the airport?
At this time, San Diego International Airport is not typically experiencing any additional delays due to TSA screenings for departing passengers. SAN still recommends arriving two hours prior to departure for domestic travelers and 3 hours for international travelers. That being said, it is now additionally important to reach out to your airline prior to coming to the airport to confirm the status of your flight as schedules are changing daily.
What are the cleaning procedures at SAN?
Our custodial provider is providing cleaning services 24-hours a day. They are placing an additional emphasis on public touch points in all areas, including handrails, bathroom stalls, seating, door handles, chairs and tables, touchscreen directories, concessions and credit card machines.
Further, in our parking lot and rental car shuttles, we are sanitizing seats, rails, and other surfaces several times daily, in addition to performing a deep clean twice weekly.
What about air circulation in the terminals?
During the pandemic, there has been a great deal of emphasis on air circulation and its relation to COVID-19. The airport has commissioned a study to review SAN’s entire HVAC system to understand if there are ways we can further protect you and our employees.
All HVAC systems at SAN were designed to meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers requirements for air changes per hour. Our systems meet or exceed industry filtration standards, meaning we filter the air at a recommended level between “Superior Commercial Buildings” and “Hospital Inpatient Care.” Additionally, 60 percent of air handlers installed in the airport contain ultraviolet light which provides extra protection to kill bacteria and viruses.
Are your concessions/dining facilities still open?
Yes, although some have closed and others have changed their hours.
Due to fluctuating flight schedules, Terminal 1 West concessions – Peet’s Coffee and KUSI News – have modified the days and times they are open, so please check our website for current hours of operation. If you are flying out of gates 11-18 on Tuesday and Wednesday please consider making purchases pre-security. Please note, items such as liquids more than 3.4 ounces will not be permitted though the TSA checkpoint. It is suggested that you use water bottles that can be filled post-security in the water bottle fill stations. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause.
Our dining facilities will remain open, as will the Terminal 1 food court dining area and the Sunset Cove dining area in Terminal 2. Employees and patrons will need to comply with social distancing. Signs will be installed in the terminals per County Health Dept. requirements.
Do you have hand sanitizer currently available in the terminals?
Yes, hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the terminals. As noted by the CDC, hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community.
Follow these five steps every time:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
I made a parking reservation and then I decided to cancel my trip. Can I get a refund?
We understand that many passengers are experiencing travel disruptions so we’ve made some updates to our parking policy. If you need to cancel your reservation, you may do so up to one hour before the start time. If you are unable to cancel in time and did not use your reservation, please call us at 619-291-2087.