With new COVID-19 safety measures to follow, travel looks a lot different in this day and age. These are some handy things to know before you get on that plane to Virginia: Before locking in your flight, find out if any travel bans or restrictions apply — in both your destination and origin. Stay informed with the latest updates by reviewing official government websites. When you pass through airport checkpoints, do not remove your face mask. You will be required to lower it briefly to confirm your identity. Those who refuse to wear a face mask may face civil penalties and may also be denied boarding. Do not hand your boarding pass directly to a TSA officer. Rather, you should place the pass on the reader and then hold it up for the agent to visually inspect it. You are now allowed to take one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 oz (350 ml) in your carry-on baggage. This will need to be taken out for screening. Remove personal items from your pocket, like your wallet, coins and keys, and place them in your carry-on instead of into bins. This will reduce handling during screening. If you're planning to take food on the plane with you, place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This lessens the likelihood that a TSA employee will need to handle your food container or carry-on bag for inspection.