LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles International Airport officials said today they will close the Central Terminal Area to the public every day between midnight and 5 a.m. to allow cleaning crews to perform maintenance; however, officials said this action is not a response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The nighttime closure policy has been in the works since well before the COVID-19 virus was discovered, LAX officials said, and although the closures are not a response to the virus, they will allow crews to better access all “high-contact” areas and restrooms for cleaning and sanitizing.
With ongoing, overnight heavy construction and limited early morning flight activity, LAX officials said they are taking the opportunity to safeguard the airport during those times.
People who will be allowed in the area during the closures include ticketed airline passengers and people meeting, accompanying or assisting them, and airport and city personnel whose employment requires their presence.
Airline check-in counters and federal passenger security screening will be open depending on flight schedules for each terminal.
The overnight closures to the public mirror the actions taken at similar facilities in Los Angeles and across the country, airport officials said. Signage has been posted on and around airport property informing the public of the closures, and the FlyLAX.com and LAWA.org websites have been updated with the information.
LAX officials said the airport operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means that on any given night, there will be employees and guests within the CTA, terminals and parking structures. The LAX-it lot for ride- hailing companies, taxis and shuttles also remains a 24/7 operation, and passengers, drivers and staff are permitted to be there during overnight closure hours.
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