Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and State Natural Area Vacations

With the continuation of the COVID-19 outbreak, traveling now comes with some extra challenges. Take note of the following tips before hopping on your flight to Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and State Natural Area:

• Before booking anything, see if any travel bans or restrictions apply — in both your origin and destination. Keep informed with the latest updates by checking government travel advisories.
• When you pass through airport screening, keep your face mask on. You will be required to lower it briefly for identification purposes. Anyone refusing to wear a face mask may be fined and denied entry.
• Instead of handing a TSA employee your boarding pass, place it straight on the scanner yourself. After that, hold it up for inspection.
• TSA is now allowing passengers to take one container of hand sanitizer, up to 12 oz (350 ml) in size, in carry-on bags. This will have to be removed from your bag to be screened.
• Put any personal items (phone, wallet and keys for example) in your carry-on instead of a bin to minimize handling during screening.
• If you want to take food through the screening checkpoint, put it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA agent will need to touch your carry-on bag or food container for inspection.

While traveling during an ongoing pandemic can be slightly overwhelming, airlines are doing their bit to protect the well-being of all on board. These are a few carriers that have introduced 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.
• United Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.