The North Holidays

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the way we travel, but it hasn't halted our desire to explore. Here are a few tips on how to cope with travel's new challenges:

• Investigate if any travel restrictions apply to your origin and destination before booking. Also check if there are any special conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as health testing.
• When you pass through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to briefly lower it to verify your identity. Anyone refusing to wear a mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding.
• To decrease the risk of cross-contamination, position your boarding pass on the scanner yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA employee.
• You can take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on luggage. This will need to be removed for X-ray scanning.
• Remove items from your pocket, like your wallet, phone and small change, and put them in your carry-on rather than into bins. This will minimize handling during the screening process.
• If you're planning to take food on board, place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA employee will need to handle your carry-on bag or food container for inspection.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have introduced enhanced measures and standards to help their passengers and staff get back in the air. Here are some good examples:

• Air Canada - this airline is known for conducting passenger temperature checks and cleaning with disinfectant.
• WestJet - this airline is known for cleaning with disinfectant and electrostatic cleaning.
• Pacific Coastal Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.