Baru Island Holidays

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed how we travel, but it hasn't dampened our passion for exploring. Here are some tips on how to handle travel's new challenges:

• Before committing to anything, find out if any travel restrictions or bans apply — in both your destination and origin. Stay informed with the latest updates by checking government travel advisories.
• When you pass through airport screening, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to lower it briefly to verify your identity. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may face civil penalties and may also be escorted from the building.
• To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, place your boarding pass on the reader yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your pass directly to a TSA employee.
• You're allowed to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your hand luggage. You'll have to remove it for screening.
• To reduce handling during the screening process, put items such as your loose change and phone into your carry-on rather than into the bins.
• Transport your food items in a clear plastic bag and also put them in a screening bin. Keeping your food separate from your carry-on means it's less likely a TSA officer will need to open your bag for inspection.

While flying in the middle of a pandemic can be nerve-wracking, airlines have been working hard to ensure the well-being of customers and crew. These are some carriers that have introduced changes:

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