James Island Holidays

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

• Research if any travel restrictions apply to your destination and origin before committing to a flight. Also check if there are any conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as health testing.
• Keep your face mask on even during airport screening. A TSA employee will ask you to temporarily lower your mask to verify your identity.
• Instead of handing a TSA employee your boarding pass, place it straight on the scanner yourself. Then, hold it up for inspection.
• TSA now allows passengers to take one container of hand sanitizer, up to 12 oz (350 ml) in size, in carry-on luggage. This will need to be removed from your bag at the X-ray machine for screening.
• Remove personal items from your pocket, such as your wallet and phone, and put them in your carry-on instead of the bins. This will minimize handling during screening.
• If you're taking food through the screening checkpoint, put it in a clear plastic bag and then into a scanning bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA agent will need to touch your carry-on bag or food container for closer inspection.

As countries begin to open their borders, most airlines have resumed business with new measures including physical distancing and an increased supply of sanitizer and face masks. Here's what some carriers are doing to help lessen the spread of COVID-19:

• American Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• United Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Delta - this airline is known for electrostatic cleaning and cleaning with disinfectant.