Wilderness West Vacations

COVID-19 may have changed how we travel, but it hasn't deterred our zeal for exploring. Here are a few tips on how to handle travel's new challenges:

• Understand the restrictions and rules in both your destination and origin. It may not be possible to travel depending on local circumstances, so make sure you check before you book your flight.
• When you pass through airport checkpoints, keep your face mask on. You will be required to lower it briefly for identification purposes. Anyone refusing 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 officer.
• One container of liquid hand sanitizer is now allowed in your carry-on bag. It must be no bigger than 12 oz (350 ml), and you'll need to remove it from your bag at the X-ray machine for screening.
• To reduce handling during the screening process, put items such as your phone, keys and wallet into your carry-on rather than into the bins.
• Separate any food you're carrying for X-ray scanning. Food items often trigger the alarm. Putting them in a clear plastic bag and into a bin reduces the need for a TSA employee to handle and inspect your belongings.

While flying in the middle of a pandemic can be daunting, airlines have gone above and beyond to ensure the well-being of all on board. These are some carriers that have introduced changes:

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