TPA Ready Update: 5 ways to go touchless at TPA

Passenger traffic continues to slowly rise at TPA and airports across the nation, and several of those airports now have readiness plans in place to keep people distanced, keep employees masked and keep the facilities sanitized to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

However, traveler behavior still remains the most important factor in reducing germs at airports and aircraft, and following basic CDC guidelines can go a long way in staying healthy. Health experts recommend washing or sanitizing hands frequently and avoiding hand-to-hand contact with others as you move through public spaces. Here are five suggestions to help you go touchless at TPA:

Download your boarding pass on your cell phone. Most airlines offer mobile boarding passes, eliminating the need to print passes at kiosks or hand paper back and forth to agents, and you can use the mobile boarding pass at the shuttle e-gates, TSA checkpoint and airline boarding scanner.

Use carry-on luggage instead of checking bags. While sometimes checking bags is unavoidable, passengers should pack their items in carry-on luggage if they can, which eliminates the number of hands touching their bags and also allows them to bypass baggage claim areas, where larger groups tend to congregate in close-knit spaces.

Use credit cards and touchless payment whenever possible. All of TPA’s shops, restaurants and kiosks accept credits cards, and some allow you to swipe your card in front of sensors to pay without ever pressing a button. If you do have to exchange cards or cash with an employee, be sure to wash your or sanitize your hands immediately after.

Grab a paper towel before touching door handles in the restroom. The TPA restroom experience is largely touch-free, thanks to sensor-activated faucets and toilets. Experts recommend skipping the automated hand dryer to avoid germs blowing around inside the restroom, and instead, grab a paper towel to use while touching handles or drying your hands.

Bring your own water bottle. All TPA Airsides now have new water bottle filling stations, eliminating the need to purchase water or drinks after you get through the security checkpoints. Bring your own reusable bottle and stick it under the sensor-activated stream to get your refill.

Got any other touch-free travel tips? Comment below!