Franconian Hills Trip

COVID-19 may have changed how we travel, but it hasn't halted our desire to explore. Here are a few tips on how to navigate travel's new challenges:

• Investigate if any travel restrictions apply to your origin and destination before locking in your flight. Also check if there are any conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as undergoing health assessments.
• When you go through airport screening, do not remove your face mask. You will be asked to briefly lower it to confirm your identity. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may face civil penalties and may also be escorted from the building.
• Rather than handing a TSA agent your boarding pass, position it directly on the reader yourself. Once that's done, hold it up for inspection.
• One liquid hand sanitizer container 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 for scanning.
• Put any personal items (keys, wallet and phone) in your carry-on instead of a bin to minimize handling during the screening process.
• If you want to take food on the plane, put it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA employee will need to handle your food container or carry-on bag for closer inspection.

While flying in the middle of a pandemic can be slightly overwhelming, airlines have been working hard to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. Here are a few carriers that have introduced changes:

• Lufthansa - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Eurowings - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Air Dolomiti - this airline is known for cleaning with disinfectant and conducting passenger temperature checks.