Thousand Islands Trip

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed how we travel, but it hasn't dampened our zeal for exploring. Here are some tips on how to tackle 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 requirements you'll need to follow on arrival, such as health testing.
• When you go through airport screening, do not remove your face mask. You will be asked to briefly lower it for ID purposes. Travellers who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding.
• Rather than handing a TSA employee your boarding pass, place it straight on the reader yourself. When that's done, hold it up for inspection.
• One container of liquid hand sanitizer is now permitted in your carry-on bag. It must be no bigger than 12 oz (350 ml), and you'll have to remove it from your bag at the X-ray machine for screening.
• Empty your personal items from your pockets, like your phone and wallet, and put them in your carry-on instead of into bins. This will reduce handling during the screening process.
• Transport all food items in a clear plastic bag and also place them in a screening bin. Keeping food separate from your carry-on means it's less likely a TSA employee will need to open and touch your bag for inspection.

While travelling in a pandemic can be challenging, airlines are doing all they can to ensure the well-being of their passengers and staff. These are a few carriers that have introduced changes:

• Garuda Indonesia - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and keeping the middle seat empty.
• Sriwijaya Air - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and conducting passenger temperature checks.
• Wings Air (Indonesia) - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and cleaning with disinfectant.