North Padre Island Holidays

With new restrictions and safety precautions in place, travel looks a lot different right now. Here are some useful things to know before you jet off to North Padre Island:

• Investigate the rules and restrictions in both your destination and origin. It may not be possible to travel depending on local circumstances, so make sure you check in advance.
• Requirements state that you must wear a face mask throughout your travel experience, including at screening checkpoints. Be prepared to lower your mask for ID purposes when asked by a TSA employee.
• Do not hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA employee. Instead, position the 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 luggage. This will need to be taken out for screening.
• To reduce handling during the screening process, place personal items such as your keys, wallet, phone and belt into your carry-on instead of the bins.
• If you're planning to take food on the plane with you, 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 carry-on bag or food container for inspection.

As travel borders start to open, most airlines are back in action with new strategies including physical distancing and an increased supply of sanitizer and face masks. Here's what different 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.