1 Month, 3 countries and 5 Covid-19 Tests

Quick checks

• Take a long and hard look at your decision to travel, if not required, stay home stay safe, believe me.

• Plan enough time, money and of course patience for your journey as things change overnight.

• Be ready to take up tests and cooperate with the authorities everywhere, remember we are all in this together. It's everyone’s business to get over this virus.

• Mind your distance and keep those masks on, do not rely on others for your safety.

• Pray always, you never know when you need them the most.

• Lastly, behave yourself, we are all frustrated, but a little kindness and smile take you places.

My recent vacation to India was as unprecedented as the ongoing pandemic itself, encompassing 3 countries and 5 Covid-19 PCR tests in a month, thankfully all negative. That was quite an experience for an enthusiastic traveller like me. This blog is for anyone stuck amid the Go-No Go decision for taking up a vacation especially or who have already planned their international vacation or for anyone curious to know.

Firstly, I would like to thank all those involved directly or indirectly during my numerous journeys for keeping me safe. Today’s travel is dependent as much on your health as on those around you. If you are, like me, thinking and dreaming about that long-awaited holiday after a terrible once-in-a-lifetime year, then please take a long and hard look at your decision, is it worth it?

Traveling abroad or within India is no longer the leisure it was earlier, after having traveled to 3 countries and undergone 5 tests. All the hassle-free travel is now out of the window. Even if you are traveling to a destination where tests are not mandatory the virus can be anywhere irrespective you take a test or not. So, despite all the foreseeable challenges if you have made the biggest decision of the year to pack your bags and head out continue reading as it might help you, and if in case you are still planning, still worth a read.

Take a long and hard look at your decision to travel, if not required, stay home stay safe, believe me.

After taking a long hard look at my decision to travel home from the UK, with many conflicts of thoughts between the price of tickets to saving time to things to pack I booked my flight for Mumbai. Conscious that the guidelines change overnight, I ensured all the documents are duly filled and printed before my travel. This involved taking up PCR home test, my first out of five. After viewing the helpful NHS (National Health Service) videos and other guidelines on the kit I mustered the courage to get my swab test, which was easy than thought. I posted the sample into the designated NHS post box with a prayer to get a negative result before I fly. Unfortunately, due to the Christmas rush, my parcel didn’t reach the laboratory within 24 hrs to get the results on time, as promised on the site, my 100 pounds were almost down the drain.

Luckily, I could board my flight for Mumbai with results awaited status, during that time the rules were different, a person could fly if the test results were expected by the time you reach the destination. However, due to the test rush and holiday season on the horizon, my results were pending when I landed in Mumbai. The very diligent and firm authorities refused to let me out without a negative result, which led to my second PCR test at the airport.

Be ready to take up tests and cooperate with the authorities everywhere, remember we are all in this together. It's everyone’s business to get over this virus.

I was alarmed by these disruptions, but again you must comply with the authorities for everyone’s safety. Again, my prayers were answered with a negative result, and could carry on my onward journey after much of a delay. Mind you this was the case if only you were to board domestic flights, as onwards road and rail travel was permitted on an expected test result status. I found this a serious case of disparity in rules as a virus could be transmitted anyways. Thankfully, my onward journeys by flight and later by train were smooth with just a temperature and Arogya Settu App status checks.

After few blissful days of fun & folic and much-deserved sunshine, I had braved British weather earlier remember, was interrupted by the local municipal authorities who were informed about my recent UK return. With the new strain playing havoc in the media and travel industry I was summoned for my third test despite two negative test results, to find new traces if any. This one was free of cost and my first interaction with frontline workers on COVID-19 in India.

Am very proud and pleased to say that all of them continue to do an exemplary job of restricting the spread of the virus in the city and nation at large. Despite all the risks of their own and their family’s health. They have faced various challenges from inadequate infrastructure, manual paperwork, delays with the results to inappropriate behavior from the section of the public. Indeed, it takes a lot of courage to do your work when the risk of getting the infection is high, but you still turn up every morning to ensure everyone else is safe.

I was given a very privileged treatment, I thought so, by asking to wait at the farthest corner of the premise under a tree to avoid contact with others, thanks to who so ever planted that tree. This reminded me of the old tales of untouchables asked to stay away from the crowd. The swab test itself was a little unpleasant with drops of tears rolling. Anyways, I had to give in, as they were packing up after a long day of work wearing the PPE kits testing hundreds of people.

During the next 3 days of self-isolation, the authorities and nurses from various departments kept me company over the status calls. I realized the processes were manual having to repeat my details often. The inter-departmental data sharing was inadequate, but the efforts were honest. They were doing their best to keep everyone safe despite the strong resistance from certain sections of society. I heard a lot of tales on how some fooled with the wrong details and resisted appearing for a test thinking it was a social stigma. In this age and time when the whole world is facing it together, such attitude is needless and should be shunned soon. Luckily, was informed about my negative test result and could continue my vacation hassle-free.

I was enjoying little freedom and packing up for my return when the UK and Indian governments decided to take a Christmas break from all this madness and stopped all the travel till Jan’21. Understandably everyone deserves a break with the new year approaching. A time to look at the year gone by and welcome the new one. Not to forget the old and new variants of the virus to take care of. However, this was a blessing in disguise to extend my holidays and relish the sunshine and good food.

Plan enough time, money and of course patience for your journey as things change overnight.

I knew my return journey would not be any less adventurous but never thought it would go to such a degree. With the new restrictions and a Covid-19 test mandatory for UK arrivals, I was back to square one rescheduling tickets, test appointments etc. With a heavy heart and a deep hole in my pockets, I had to book the best available flight via Dubai, UAE. This admits the conflict of saving time or money, I chose the latter.

Thankfully the Dubai transit visa came through in record 3 days and the domestic flight tickets were sorted. However, the train tickets to the airport was a hassle, but mind you international travel bookings are easy as compared to IRCTC confirmed seats, if never experienced before, try once. Packing my bags and praying for yet another negative test result I left my hometown. I had planned to get myself tested at the Mumbai airport and hoped the results will be out well before I board my onward flight. To my dismay that was not the case, the results of the fourth test took longer than expected. As a result, I was denied check-in for the Dubai flight. Again, had to wait for the negative word under my name and hence had to reschedule my flights.

By now, I was nimble to these situations and other learnings from the past. The scrum master in me decided to avail myself of the next best possible option. I happily booked myself in the airport hotel negotiating on the price and services that I almost forgot about the test results. This was by far the best decision in my entire journey to take a back-seat, gaze at the situation and then act. I took time to relax and prepare for the next leap of the journey. The next morning with a smile on my face and a negative word under my name I thanked god and proceeded to the Check-in for Dubai. I was dismayed with the long queues and regulations thrown out of the window, there was no distancing while boarding, and the flight was jam-packed.

Mind your distance and keep those masks on, do not rely on others for your safety.

Happily, landed in Dubai, only to know that the UAE government had made it mandatory for all the arrivals to undergo the COVID-19 test despite the reports at hand. Having no other option to escape on foreign land, had to fall in line for my fifth test in the entire month. This was by far the most efficient and sophisticated test I undertook. The airport authorities in Dubai did a tremendous job of minding all the arriving passengers from 6 flights at a time, as always Indians being notorious to follow rules were giving them a tough time. To my surprise, I was tested within 30 mins despite long queues. I was free to go out with the only condition to keep track and trace App on. All the other rules were relaxed may be due to the initial strict process at the airport.

Pray always, you never know when you need them the most.

I enjoyed the short drive between the terminals, looking at the bustling weekend goers under the glittering city light. The wait was long and relaxed, again prayed for a negative word under my name to allow me for the next leap of travel. However, I could board my next flight based on my fourth test result. At times it helps to go through pain to get a reward later. Finally, and it was final this time, I boarded the London flight as the last leap of my journey, to doze off for the next 8 hours without worrying about anything else. Landing in London and completing immigration was a cakewalk by now having visited 3 airports in 48 hours. I even inquired about the officer's health and showed my negative test result with a proud feeling that I could finally make it.

Behave yourself, we are all frustrated, but a little kindness and smile take you places.

The next 10 days of self-isolation or reflection taught me that we should not undertake travel if not necessary, it adds to everyone’s burden. Always pray and be thankful you never know when you need them the most. Be ready to give the test and cooperate with the authorities wherever you are, we are all in this together it's everyone’s business to get the virus down and out. Lastly, behave yourself, show gratitude to frontline workers and all others involved. Everyone is frustrated with the situation, but you don’t know what the person might be going through. A little kindness and masked smile on your face spreads positivity and takes you places.

This was my experience of a month-long vacation covering 3 countries and undergoing 5 tests. My humble request is to take a long and hard look at your decision to travel to any part of the world. Pray, that you might not face any of these situations but remember someone next to you might have gone through the ordeal only to meet their loved ones. Be kind.