Machars of Galloway Trip

COVID-19 has changed how we travel, but it hasn't stifled our appetite for exploring. Here are a few tips on how to navigate the new challenges of travelling:

• Investigate if any travel restrictions apply to your destination and origin before locking in a flight. Also check if there are any conditions you'll have to follow on arrival, such as mandatory quarantining.
• You must wear a face mask at the airport, even at screening checkpoints. Be prepared to lower your mask for ID verification when asked by a TSA employee.
• Do not hand your boarding pass (paper or electronic) directly to a TSA employee. Instead, you should position the pass on the scanner and then hold it up to allow the agent to visually inspect it.
• TSA now permits 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 and presented for screening.
• Empty your personal items from your pocket, like your phone, keys and wallet, and place them in your carry-on rather than into bins. This will reduce handling during screening.
• If you're planning to take food on the plane with you, put it in a clear plastic bag and then into a scanning bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA agent will need to handle your carry-on bag or food container for inspection.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines have adopted new precautionary measures to help their passengers get back in the skies. Here are just a few examples:

• EasyJet - this airline is known for cleaning with disinfectant and providing passenger masks.
• British Airways - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Jet2 - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and cleaning with disinfectant.