Shackleford Banks Trip

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the world in ways big and small, including how we travel. The following tips will help you understand these new challenges and get you ready for your escape to Shackleford Banks:

• Investigate 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 installing a contact tracing app.
• Keep your face mask on even during airport screening. A TSA officer will require you to lower your mask temporarily for ID purposes.
• You're no longer required to hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA employee. Instead, position the pass on the scanner and then hold it up for the agent to visually inspect it.
• You are now permitted to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on baggage. This will need to be taken out for screening.
• Put any personal items (phone, wallet and keys for example) in your carry-on instead of a bin to reduce handling during screening.
• If you want to take food on board, 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 food container or carry-on bag for closer inspection.

As lockdowns and restrictions start to lift, most airlines are back in business with new measures including social distancing and an increased supply of face masks, gloves and sanitizer. Here's what a number of carriers are doing to help stop the spread of COVID-19:

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