Naramata Bench Trip

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major changes to how we travel. If you plan to visit Naramata Bench, the following tips will help you navigate these new challenges and rules:

• Find out if any travel restrictions apply to your origin and destination before booking your flight. Also check if there are any special conditions you'll have to follow on arrival, such as mandatory quarantining.
• When you pass through airport checkpoints, keep your face mask on. You will be required to lower it briefly to confirm your identity. Passengers who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding.
• You're no longer required to hand your boarding pass (paper or electronic) directly to a TSA employee. Rather, you should place the pass on the scanner and then hold it up for inspection.
• TSA is now allowing passengers to take one container of hand sanitizer, up to 12 oz (350 ml) in size, in carry-on baggage. This will need to be removed from your bag and presented for screening.
• Empty everything from your pockets, like your keys, phone and wallet, and put them in your carry-on rather than the bins. This will minimize handling during the screening process.
• Transport all food items in a clear plastic bag and also put them in a screening bin. Keeping food separate from your carry-on makes it less likely that a TSA employee will need to touch and open your bag for inspection.

As travel bans start to lift, most airlines have resumed services with new strategies including social distancing and staggered boarding and disembarkation. Here's what these carriers are doing to help lessen the spread of COVID-19:

• WestJet - this airline is known for cleaning with disinfectant and electrostatic cleaning.
• Air Canada - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Pacific Coastal Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.