South Side Trip

COVID-19 has brought about significant changes to the way we travel. If you're planning a holiday in South Side, these tips will help you navigate these new rules and challenges:

• Know what rules and restrictions apply to both your origin and destination. You may not be able to travel depending on local circumstances, so remember to check government advisories before booking.
• When you go through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to lower it briefly to confirm your identity. Travellers who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be escorted from the building.
• Avoid handing your boarding pass (electronic or paper) directly to a TSA employee. Instead, place your pass on the reader and then hold it up so the agent can inspect it.
• You are now allowed to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on bag. This will need to be removed for X-ray scanning.
• Put any personal items (like your phone and wallet) in your carry-on instead of a bin to reduce handling during screening.
• Separate any food you have for X-ray screening. Putting it in a clear plastic bag and into a bin reduces the need for a TSA agent to handle and inspect your belongings.

As restrictions ease and people begin flying again, many airlines have adopted policies such as social distancing to help lessen the spread of COVID-19. Here are a couple of excellent examples:

• JetBlue - this airline is known for keeping the middle seat empty and capped capacity flights.
• American Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.