East Gippsland and Gipps Lakes Trip

COVID-19 has changed the way we travel, but it hasn't stopped our passion for exploring. Here are some tips on how to cope with travel's new challenges:

• Find out the rules and restrictions in both your destination and origin. You may not be able to travel depending on local circumstances, so make sure you check government advisories before booking.
• When you pass through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to briefly lower it to verify your identity. Passengers who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding.
• Rather than handing a TSA officer your boarding pass, position it directly on the scanner yourself. When that's done, hold it up for inspection.
• One container of liquid hand sanitizer is now allowed in your carry-on baggage. It must be no larger than 12 oz (350 ml), and you'll have to take it out of your bag at the X-ray machine for scanning.
• Place any personal items (e.g, keys, phone and wallet) in your carry-on rather than a bin to reduce handling during screening.
• If you want to take food on the plane with you, place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a scanning bin. This lessens the likelihood that a TSA agent will need to handle your carry-on bag or food container for closer inspection.

In an effort to limit contact between passengers and flight attendants during the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have taken social distancing and other strategies to the skies. Just some of these are:

• 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.