Far Northwest Vacations

With new safety guidelines in place, travel looks a lot different right now. Here are a few things to know before you get on that plane to Far Northwest:

• Before booking your flight, check if any travel restrictions or bans apply — in both your origin and destination. Get the latest updates by checking government and travel websites.
• When you go through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to briefly lower it to verify your identity. Travelers who refuse to wear a mask may be fined and denied boarding.
• To reduce the potential of cross-contamination, place your boarding pass on the scanner yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA agent.
• You are now permitted to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your hand luggage. You'll have to remove it for X-ray screening.
• Remove personal items from your pocket, like your small change and phone, and put them in your carry-on instead of the bins. This will minimize handling during screening.
• Transport your food items in a clear plastic bag and also put them in a screening bin. Keeping your food separate from your carry-on makes it less likely that a TSA agent will need to open your bag for inspection.

While traveling during an ongoing pandemic can be slightly daunting, airlines are doing their bit to ensure the well-being of their passengers and staff. These are some carriers that have introduced changes:

• Qantas - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Virgin Australia - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Jetstar - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.