Traveling During This Omicron Wave Was More or Less Like This

Summary

The author describes the complexities and frustrations of international travel during the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including stringent testing requirements, financial burdens, and varying levels of compliance with safety protocols.

Abstract

The author had mixed feelings about an upcoming trip due to the Omicron variant's travel restrictions, which included Nigeria being placed on red lists by Canada and the UK. Despite initial fears of canceling the trip due to potential positive test results, political and economic factors led to the reversal of red list decisions. However, the necessity for multiple negative PCR tests added financial strain, with the tests nearly matching the cost of the flight. The journey itself revealed a mix of social distancing efforts and lax attitudes towards mask-wearing, with some cabin crew's improper mask usage raising concerns. The author reflects on the stark contrast between the rigorous measures taken in some parts of the world and the nonchalance in others, while ultimately finding joy in the reunion with their spouse.

Opinions

The author initially considered canceling the trip due to the stress and uncertainty surrounding travel restrictions and potential exposure to COVID-19.
There is a sense of frustration with the ever-changing travel restrictions and the financial impact of the required PCR tests, which are seen as a deterrent to travel.
The author questions the effectiveness of safety measures when observing inconsistent mask-wearing and improper use of PPE by cabin crew.
The author expresses a humorous yet critical view of the varying global responses to the pandemic, highlighting a lack of uniformity in efforts to combat the virus.
Despite the challenges, the author values the personal reward of reuniting with a loved one, suggesting that the trials of travel are worth the effort for such meaningful connections.

“Has anyone tried flipping to the beginning of 2020 and choosing a different adventure?”

I had an upcoming trip which I had mixed feelings about. Yes, I hadn’t seen hubby in months, but with the Omicron wave, there were still travel restrictions. In fact, I recently heard that the Canadian and Uk governments had placed Nigeria on the red list and Nigeria had reciprocated the gesture.

Traveling was already a nightmare, but the new restrictions now made traveling even more dreadful. Imagine being told that covid test at your destination country was unacceptable and yet you needed to do one. I thought of the phone call in which I would tell hubby I would cancel my trip.

That was never to be. Soon enough, with the power of politics and economics, the red list decisions were reversed. A negative PCR test, however, was still compulsory to board the flight. In my case, this was besides showing a vaccination certificate. I was pretty apprehensive about the former cos my team at work had suffered a covid wave. If the virus had not cleared from my system, I would test positive and wouldn’t fly.

That had a boomerang effect. First, I would have to call the airline to open the ticket. If I picked a new date, I would pay the cost difference. Then, of course, I would have to wait till the virus had cleared from my system before traveling. I would look for new accommodation because I had moved out of my previous one. Can you see the domino effect?

With a negative covid test, I was eligible to fly. But that wasn’t all. There were other requirements. I needed to pay for my post-arrival covid-19 test and show evidence of the payment to the boarding crew. Without it, I wouldn’t be issued a boarding pass. On arrival to my destination country, I was to present the payment evidence to the health officials at immigration.

I haven’t touched on the cost of these tests. Since most authorities demanded a PCR test, each cost just under two hundred Canadian dollars. I needed one to board, one on my arrival at my destination, and one on my return. That’s six hundred Canadian dollars. My flight ticket was a promotional ticket that cost just under a thousand Canadian dollars. Traveling had really become a financial nightmare. If authorities wanted to deter people, they were doing an excellent job.

Concerning my trip, the plane wasn’t exactly full. My row had a free seat. The rows before and after mine had one too. Some rows had two free seats. I couldn’t tell if it was the airlines’ effort at social distancing or fewer people were choosing to travel. People were wearing their masks but sometimes forgot to replace them after eating or while asleep. The cabin crew had worn PPE gowns on top of their flight uniforms. I found it funny cos some of them wore their masks improperly, which made me wonder if Covid-19 was a respiratory illness or a dermatological illness.

Anyway, I arrived at my destination, and mask-wearing and social distancing did not bother people. Imagine going through all this trouble and yet, there is a subset of people who are oblivious to the efforts being made in other parts of the world. It delighted my husband to see me. He intended to make the best of the few weeks we had together especially considering all the trouble I had gone through with Covid-19 and travel restrictions.

“Has anyone tried flipping to the beginning of 2020 and choosing a different adventure?” — Unknown