Rottnest Island Holidays

The COVID-19 outbreak has ushered in big changes to how we travel. If you're flying to Rottnest Island, the following tips will help you navigate the "new normal:"

• Before booking your flight, check if any travel bans or restrictions apply — in both your origin and destination. Get up-to-date information by checking government and travel websites.
• When you go through airport checkpoints, keep your face mask on. You will be required to lower it briefly to confirm your identity. Passengers who refuse to wear a mask may face civil penalties and may also be escorted from the building.
• Rather than handing a TSA employee your boarding pass, position it directly on the reader yourself. When that's done, hold it up for inspection.
• You can now take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on baggage. You'll need to remove it for X-ray screening.
• Remove personal items from your pocket, like your phone and wallet, and place them in your carry-on instead of the bins. This will reduce handling during the screening process.
• If you're planning to take food through security screening, put it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This lessens the likelihood that a TSA agent will need to handle your food container or carry-on bag for inspection.

While flying during a pandemic can be daunting, airlines have worked around the clock to ensure the well-being of their passengers and staff. These are some carriers that have introduced changes:

• 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.
• Rex Regional Express - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and cleaning with disinfectant.