The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we travel, but it hasn’t shut down our zest for exploring. Here are some tips on how to deal with the new challenges of traveling:
- Before locking in your flight, find out if any travel bans or restrictions apply — in both your destination and origin. Stay informed with the latest updates by checking government travel advisories.
- When you pass through airport screening, do not remove your face mask. You will be asked to briefly lower it for ID purposes. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may be denied entry or boarding.
- Rather than handing a TSA officer your boarding pass, place it directly on the reader yourself. Then, hold it up for inspection.
- You are now permitted to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on baggage. This will need to be removed for X-ray screening.
- Remove items from your pocket, like your keys, phone and wallet, and put them in your carry-on instead of the bins. This will reduce handling during screening.
- Transport any food items in a clear plastic bag and also put them in a screening bin. Keeping food separate from your carry-on makes it less likely that a TSA employee will need to touch and open your bag for inspection.