NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT
So…remember when all your
travel worries were about packing smartly for your destination and if your
passport was current?
Naw… I don’t either.
Today in this world of
COVID though travel is less restrictive, it is still a mishmash of ever-changing
rules, involving testing and more testing and quarantining and vaccines and booster
shots and mask acne and it leaves one wanting to watch travelogues on
television rather than going through the rigmarole of traveling to those
desired destinations!
In country it’s no
problem. Of course, we still have some restrictions or “mandates” like having
to wear a mask at any large indoor gathering and showing proof of vaccinations,
but at least we can get out of the house now. Recently we’ve been to a wedding
(albeit outdoors), a concert at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia (where we had to wear masks) and have been
out for food, drinks and music several times, and, next month we plan to travel
to Sedona, Arizona for the Thanksgiving holiday.
It sounds all great,
but we had intended on traveling to the more exotic destination of Malta and
then go to England to visit the family. Restrictions at the time prevented us from truly considering this two country sojourn because of the uncertainty of COVID protocol requirements. We didn't want to endure a forced quarantine (at our own expense) or a battery of tests (at our own expense). It was a head-spinning logistics nightmare and we decided it
was more important for Janet to go see the family in Nantwich than to follow in
the Knights Templar’s footsteps in the historical Maltese islands.
Though I
love her family immensely, if I would test positive for COVID I would have to
quarantine for 10 days or whatever in their cozy home without the chance of
leaving, I would go stir crazy
They DO check in England if you’re properly quarantining, and one can
face stiff fines if you do not abide by their rules.
So, Janet is off to
England today for a long trip and I’m sitting home with a convalescing dog. The
whole purpose of her trip is to enjoy her grandchildren after all, and so a quarantine there
is not a problem.
HOOPS
Even with just one country
involved Janet had to go through many steps to be allowed to travel to England.
First is the flight itself.
The normal Philadelphia to Manchester flight that we’ve taken several times
over the years is currently discontinued by American Airlines. Instead, she has
to travel to Heathrow in London and then fly to Manchester and then get on a
train to Crewe (unless her lovely appreciative daughter picks her up in
Manchester.)
Now, the current rules
(which are evidently set to change two days after her arrival in England and
two days after her return to the United States), require several forms.
Proof of vaccination,
which had to be reviewed and accepted by the UK was the first item.
A passenger locator
form also had to be submitted the government to review and accept.
Also, a confirmation
code for a prepaid test two days after her arrival in England showing this was
arranged prior to her departure. Finding the actual test was a logistical
nightmare for us here in the United States! Thankfully Janet’s lovely and
gracious daughter did the leg work on this one!!!
Then she had to read and
agree to four items about COVID information and restrictions in the UK.
All of these were then
put in the VeriFLY app that is extremely helpful for international travels as the
app tells you what is the current requirements.
Still, it is extremely important
to check in with the current UK guidelines. Two days after Janet’s arrival the
type of required COVID test will change. Don’t ask me what they are…. I’m sitting
home with the sick dog.
© 2021 By Greg Dunaj
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