Authorities in the United States have made changes in its security procedures at airports to make it non-mandatory for Sikhs to remove their turbans during screening under its new guidelines.

The US Transportation Security Administration has announced that it has adjusted its security procedures for headwear, which would include turbans worn by Sikhs, and is now including the screening procedures for headwear within the overall category of bulky clothing and not calling it out as a separate category.

"Removal of all headwear is recommended but the rules accommodate those with religious, medical, or other reasons for whom removing items is not comfortable," the TSA has said, adding "Transportation security officers have several options for screening passengers who choose not to remove bulky clothing, including headwear."

The options, according to the TSA, are trace portals, trace detection and pat downs with private screening offered at different stages of the security process.

"TSA continues to work closely with its community partners to provide security protocols that are thorough and effective while fostering respect," the TSA said in a statement.

Previously, the procedures of the TSA set-off serious concerns from within the Sikh community as screeners at airports had come to view the turban as an object of suspicion.

And making matters worse was that the TSA allowed a policy that had screeners search the turbans of Sikh men even if it did not set off metal detectors.

"We are encouraged that the TSA has found a solution that does not single out turbans for additional screening," said Amardeep Singh, executive director of the New York-based Sikh Coalition, a leading US Sikh civil rights organisation.

Members of the Sikh community have been engaged by the US authorities to find a 'workable solution' to its concerns over the policy that subjects air travellers wearing headgear to additional screening.

TSA has planed to implement additional cultural awareness training for its transportation security officers.

"It is possible to secure America's safety and be true to its principles of religious freedom. Still, we call on the TSA to implement safeguards that make good on its no profiling pledge," said Singh of the Sikh Coalition.