Access to Los Angeles International Airport’s central terminal area is now restricted 24/7 to authorized airport and city personnel and ticketed passengers and their guests only, airport officials announced Wednesday.

In March, LAX implemented a nighttime closure policy as a result of the spread of the coronavirus. The full-time closure to the general public is an expansion of that policy due to construction and safety priorities, the officials said.

Access is restricted to ticketed airline passengers and persons 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 upon flight schedules for each terminal.

Violators will be asked to leave. Those who refuse to comply are subject to arrest and misdemeanor prosecution, according to the airport.

The closure to the public is similar to policies at other airports, including Philadelphia International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Signage is being posted on and around airport property informing the public of the closure and the FlyLAX.com and LAWA.org websites have been updated with this information.

>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!