Southwestern Indiana Holidays

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought about big changes to how we travel. If you plan to jet off to Southwestern Indiana, these tips will help you navigate these new challenges:

• Find out if any travel restrictions apply to your destination and origin before locking in your flight. Also check if there are any special conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as undergoing health assessments.
• Requirements state you must wear a face mask throughout your travel experience, including at screening checkpoints. Be prepared to lower your mask for identification purposes when asked by a TSA employee.
• To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination, place your boarding pass on the scanner yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your pass directly to a TSA employee.
• You're permitted to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on luggage. You'll have to remove it for X-ray scanning.
• Remove personal items from your pocket, like your wallet, phone and small change, and put them in your carry-on rather than into bins. This will reduce handling during screening.
• Separate any food you're carrying for X-ray screening. Food items often set off the alarm. Placing them in a clear plastic bag and into a bin reduces the need for a TSA employee to handle and inspect your belongings.

While flying in a pandemic can be slightly daunting, airlines have been working hard to protect the well-being of passengers and crew. These are a few carriers that have implemented changes:

• 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.
• Cape Air - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.