Iriomote Holidays

The COVID-19 outbreak may have changed the way we travel, but it hasn't done away with our love of exploring. Here are some tips on how to handle travel's new challenges:

• Before booking anything, see if any travel bans or restrictions apply — in both your destination and origin. Get the latest updates by checking official government websites.
• You're required to wear a face mask throughout your travel experience, even at screening checkpoints. Be prepared to lower your mask for identification purposes when asked by a TSA employee.
• To avoid 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 officer.
• TSA now allows passengers to take one container of hand sanitizer, up to 12 oz (350 ml) in size, in carry-on luggage. This will have to be removed from your bag and submitted for screening.
• Empty your personal items from your pocket, like your wallet, coins and keys, and put them in your carry-on rather than the bins. This will minimize handling during the screening process.
• Separate any food you have for X-ray scanning. Food items often trigger the alarm. Putting them in a clear plastic bag and into a bin reduces the need for a TSA employee to touch and inspect your belongings.

As lockdowns start to lift, many airlines have resumed business with new strategies including physical distancing and enhanced disinfection measures. Here's what these carriers are doing to help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• ANA - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• Japan Transocean Air - this airline is known for cleaning with disinfectant and providing passenger masks.
• Japan Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.