What to Wear (and What to Avoid) — Security Screening & Dress Rules for Visiting ECI
A smooth visit starts before you leave home. Dress within the rules and plan for security screening to avoid delays at the entrance or getting turned away.
Two things can stop an ECI visit before it starts: the dress code and entry screening. Staff check your clothing first, then you go through a metal detector. Plan your outfit with both in mind. It's much easier than scrambling in the parking lot trying to fix a problem.
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- ✓ Dress appropriately for visitation (this applies to all visitors, including children).
- ✓ Wear clothing that covers from the neck to the kneecaps.
- ✓ Tube tops, tank tops, or halter tops
- ✓ See-through clothing
- ✓ Mini-skirts, mini-dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes (at or above the kneecap)
- ✓ Form-fitting clothes such as leotards, spandex, and leggings
- ✓ Clothes that expose a person’s midriff, side, or back
- ✓ Tops or dresses with revealing necklines and/or excessive splits
- ✓ Shower shoes or flip flops
- ✓ Coats, jackets, shawls, and scarves (these will be placed in an appropriate area)
- ✓ Religious head dress is allowed as an exception
Note: Dress code is not the only gatekeeper. Visitors are also subject to a COVID-19 screening questionnaire, a temperature check, and must wear a mask covering nose and mouth at all times.
All visitors must clear a metal detector to enter. Build a little extra time into your arrival for screening.
What you wear matters. DPSCS warns that clothing containing metal can prevent you from clearing the detector.
Warning: If you can't clear the metal detector, your visit may be denied. Choose clothing less likely to trigger screening so you don't lose your visit time.
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- ✓ Pick an outfit that meets the coverage rule (neck to kneecaps).
- ✓ Avoid clothing that may contain metal, since it can keep you from clearing the detector.
- ✓ Skip shower shoes or flip flops.
- ✓ If you bring coats, jackets, shawls, or scarves, expect them to be placed in an appropriate area.
- ✓ If you wear religious head dress, exceptions are made for it.
Not sure if an outfit will pass? Call ECI before you drive out, especially for kids, layered clothing, or special circumstances. Getting a clear answer ahead of time beats troubleshooting at the entrance.
- Pause and ask what failed - Staff can tell you whether the issue was clearing the metal detector or something else during entry screening.
- Try a simple fix if you can - If the problem is not clearing the detector, adjust what you can on the spot so you can clear it.
- Make a plan to return - If you cannot clear the metal detector and the visit is denied, regroup and come back another day with different clothing.
Note: Even if your clothing is fine and you clear the metal detector, the COVID-19 screening questionnaire, temperature check, and mask requirement can still prevent a visit.
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