With new COVID-19 safety measures to follow, travel looks a lot different in this day and age. These are some handy things to know before you get on that plane to Virginia:
- 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 reviewing official government websites.
- When you pass through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to lower it briefly to confirm your identity. Those who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding.
- Do not hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA officer. Rather, you should place the pass on the reader and then hold it up for the agent to visually inspect it.
- You are now allowed to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on baggage. This will need to be taken out for screening.
- Remove personal items from your pocket, like your wallet, coins and keys, and place them in your carry-on instead of into bins. This will reduce handling during screening.
- If you’re planning to take food on the plane with you, place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This lessens the likelihood that a TSA employee will need to handle your food container or carry-on bag for inspection.