Reps. Ted Budd, R-N.C. and Ralph Norman, R-S.C. introduced the Healthy Skies Act, which would require the Transportation Security Administration to screen fliers for fever before passengers are permitted to proceed through security.

The legislation calls on TSA to pinpoint no less than 10 domestic airports that could implement a pilot program through which they use appropriate technologies to check passengers’ temperatures during the security screening process. Those who are experiencing temps above 100.4 — the Centers Disease Control and Prevention’s threshold for a fever — would not be allowed to proceed to their flights. Exceptions would be for people with medical conditions that result in high temperatures. 

Rep. Budd said in a statement: “Reopening America should be the top priority of our government. Making sure air travelers are healthy enough to fly is a common sense 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. I want to thank Rep. Norman for his teamwork on this issue.”

Specifically, the bipartisan legislation calls on TSA to pinpoint no less than 10 domestic airports that could implement a pilot program through which they use appropriate technologies to check passengers’ temperatures during the security screening process. Those who are experiencing temps above 100.4—the Centers Disease Control and Prevention’s threshold for a fever—would not be allowed to proceed to their flights. Exceptions for people with medical conditions that result in high temperatures are included in the bill.