Covid-19 pandemic has been with us since January 2020, and since then we have to endure all hardships imposed on us through various restrictions. The government introduced green, amber and red listed countries to reduce the import of fresh strains of corona virus into the UK. Although 82% British population have had vaccination against Covid-19, the government did not give much incentives to vaccinated population, fearing backlash from liberals who oppose vaccination.
All these time, news media were unleashing the pathetic state of airline industry and the functioning of airports. I was inquisitive about the running of airports, formalities in the aircraft, and everyday life in a foreign country during the pandemic. I thought first hand knowledge on such information would be a wealth of experience, which may not be available, once it is all over. First I thought of going to the US, but it was nearly impossible as the US President’s decree barred all UK and most other countries citizens entering the US, since March 2020. Then I changed the plan and decided to go to Dubai, as the covid data was better in United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it was included in the amber listed countries. In fact I used my personal judgement in selecting Dubai.
Prior to booking ticket, I studied well about the statutory requirements in the UK and UAE on air travel. For those who had taken two covid vaccinations, required to take Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, within 72 hours of departure, book for a PCR test on the second day of arriving in the UK, and to have another PCR test 72 hours before leaving Dubai. Had the PCR test reported positive, the travel plan either from London or Dubai could be disrupted. If it would be in Dubai, the quarantine expenses would be very high. As usual I did not venture to take travel insurance.Therefore, I took a huge risk in going abroad in the pandemic time.
I booked a direct flight to and fro Dubai with a three night stay there. I also booked car parking in Heathrow long stay car park and hotel accommodation at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. After confirming the flight the airlines sent an elaborate account of Covid-19 government regulations in the UK and UAE. The regulations highlighted the submission of four page ‘passenger locator form’. If I did not comply with the strict regulations at any stage of travel,I would not be allowed to board the aircraft and I would lose the ticket fare. I searched on-line and got the best quote for the ‘fit for travel’ PCR test and Day 2 PCR test. They guaranteed to report the test result in a certificate form, within 24 hours after the laboratory receive the specimen.
The laboratory dispatched the PCR pack with materials for taking swab and postage plus tracking paid envelope. Three days prior to departure, I took throat and nasal swabs, filled the form and sealed the envelope. In order to get a proof of posting and tracking, I took the envelope to the post office and posted. On the next day, the tracking showed that the laboratory had received the envelope with swab. By the evening, I received the report and ‘fit for travel’ certificate, which I printed. I also printed the ‘freedom pass’ otherwise called covid vaccination record and kept them in the travel file. Unlike others, I do not trust mobile phone screen display of documents, as my experience taught that electronics can be tricky at the best of times or at the worst one may find mobile phone with run down battery.
My flight was in the evening, therefore everything could be done in a relaxed manner. I drove nearly 70 miles along the proverbial M25 known for its incessant traffic jams and go slows caused by a variety of reasons like roadworks, adverse weather, accidents, breakdowns, animals crossing, debris on the the motor way, and recently the blockage by the extinction rebellion. I parked the car, and in the courtesy shuttle bus I arrived in Heathrow airport. The airport seemed to be quiet and I noticed most of the passengers wearing mask and keeping social distance while standing in the queue.
The staff at the check in verified the ‘fit for travel’ PCR certificate and I was issued with the boarding pass.There was no queue at security, and the process was normal. I walked along a few duty free and entered the departure hall and noted the departure gate number. I noticed the departure hall was deserted, as a consequence of the impact of covid on travel industry. Nearly 50% of restaurants and shops were not open at that time.
However, the direct flight to Dubai was surprisingly full, and there
were only a few vacant seats in the Boeing 777 aircraft. I was dismayed
to hear that my flight was the fourth trip on the day to Dubai by that
carrier.Every passenger was wearing face mask and observing social
distancing when getting into the aircraft. I was slightly concerned
about the scrambling passengers in the aisle and their putting hand
baggage in the overhead bins while getting close to seated passengers.
These close proximity could enhance transmission of covid virus. After
all passengers got seated, the airline staff provided face mask and a
tube of sanitiser to every one. I did not notice any change in air
circulation system or other protocols prior to taking off.
The aircraft landed in Dubai at about 08.00 am, and again there was
the usual scrambling in the aisle for collecting the hand baggages and
disembarking the aircraft. Passengers did not listen to the pilot’s
announcement to adhere to covid regulations and to keep social
distancing. As we came out of the aero-bridge, there was an official in
yellow uniform to check my ‘fit to travel’ PCR certificate. There was no
one to check the temperature of every passenger. My memory took me back
four decades ago when the airport authorities were checking booklets
with yellow fever vaccination and health records scrupulously. In the
last 30 years, airline industry or civil aviation authorities were not
seriously taking measures against passengers travelling with infectious
diseases in the flight.
In the Dubai
International Airport, everyone was wearing mask, and I was told that if
anyone flouted the regulation on mask wearing, the enforcement staff
could impose fixed penalty on the person. Again the airport was not very
busy, and within a short time I passed through several gates and
arrived at the taxi stand. The system of hiring taxi and travelling by
taxi have not changed. In the evening I travelled by Dubai metro which
was very hectic. Although everyone was wearing mask, passengers were
very close to each other. In spite of taking vaccination for covid, I
regretted using crowded metro. Dubai Mall was reasonably busy, but I was
told people were not spending money.
Next
day I hired a car for the whole day, and the first thing I did was to
get PCR done for my journey back to England. There was a queue at the
laboratory, and after waiting for a while, the swab was taken. Again I
needed to give my travel itinerary and passport details to the
laboratory in order to process the report. They normally send a copy to
the Department of Health, of UAE. On the next day, I received the
negative report. The hotel administration helped me to print the report,
as the airport authorities insisted on having printed report.
My flights back to the UK was in the afternoon. I had to sign up an
account with gov.uk for downloading the four page ‘passenger locater
form’. In that I have to put the reference number for booking Day 2
test, address in the UK if isolation was required, time and date of
flight, flight number, seat number as well as the details of PCR test in
the UAE. Once I got the confirmation of submission, a reference number
was issued. Again I had to print four pages ‘passenger locater form’. In
Dubai airport, authorities verified PCR test done in Dubai and
‘passenger locater form’. From that point, transit through other gates
was easy as there were fewer passengers. But the aircraft was
absolutely full and as such measures for covid restrictions were
compromised.
I reached Heathrow airport
on time, and little had changed in the airport arrival procedures since
the pandemic. Contrary to media news, there was no delay at
immigration. When I reached home I had the thrill of achieving
something as I took the hazard of flying to a an amber listed country.
On the Day 2, I had the PCR test, which was reported negative. Like
small pox, one day covid will be unheard of due to relentless mass
vaccination by the National Health Service (NHS). This air travel as
such was not very pleasurable, but it gave a unique experience which was
added to the treasure of my life.
Dr.C.J.George FRCS
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