Torres Strait Islands Trip

COVID-19 has led to major changes to how we travel. If you're planning a trip to Torres Strait Islands, these tips will help you navigate these new challenges:

• Investigate if any travel restrictions apply to your destination and origin before booking anything. Also check if there are any requirements you'll need to follow on arrival, such as mandatory quarantining.
• You must wear a face mask at the airport, even at screening checkpoints. You should be prepared to lower your mask for ID verification when asked by a TSA officer.
• You're no longer required to hand your boarding pass (paper or electronic) directly to a TSA officer. Rather, you should position the pass on the reader and then hold it up for the agent to visually inspect it.
• One container of liquid hand sanitizer is now allowed in your carry-on luggage. It must not be larger than 12 oz (350 ml), and you'll need to remove it from your bag at the X-ray machine for screening.
• Empty your personal items from your pockets, such as your wallet, keys and phone, and place them in your carry-on instead of the bins. This will reduce handling during screening.
• Transport any food items in a clear plastic bag and also place them in a screening bin. Keeping your food separate from your carry-on makes it less likely that a TSA employee will need to touch and open your bag for inspection.

In an effort to minimize contact between travellers and flight crew during the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have taken physical distancing and other strategies to the skies. Just a few of these are:

• Qantas - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Virgin Australia - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Jetstar - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.