I took an epic journey from USA to India. You may ask why Epic! Coz it’s 2020 with Corona. Couldn’t imagine that normalcy has taken you through lots of twists, turns, ups and downs.
Alright, let me deep dive! Just like others i was also looking out for a better job and got through an offer in Chennai, India. Before i travelled we wanted to make sure we get the best of information.
There was lot of helpful information online like FB, Blogs etc. But just like finger prints are unique for every human being the experience has also proven to be different. Booked flight on July last week for Aug 19th travel on Emirates as we have traveled couple of times and their marketing was way to elusive to attract customers. Of course they weren’t making up stories and they have a strict COVID guidelines. But the route which we got the tickets were from SFO-BOS-DXB-MAA oh yes it’s a 30 hr journey with layover of 6.5hrs in Boston!
Btw, Emirates costed $4500 (3adults, 1 kid) and governments across borders added new norms after booking that we need RT-PCR testing before 96 hours before travel. Now, here’s the twist begins! Most of the tests we got to know via online posts of FB were giving the results (in CA) after 5 days minimum and some are covered, few of them are free (which might take a week or so) but our case was edge!
Well here are the List of things we need to take during the flight irrespective of your airlines.
Our flight was on a Wednesday and 96 hours before would fall on Sat. Thats a bummer coz whatever clinics or any other medical locations we found were not giving the results within the stipulated time frame or they are not taking travel related PCR test, coz they say we don’t have enough kit. During these errand hunt for the tests my better half had a spark why don’t you check Air India website and see if you can find a booking on the same day as Emirates. Well what you know, we got the tickets for all four same day and the total journey was 20hrs!! with $1000 less than Emirates. So we had something as a backup if Emirates gets cancelled.
Everybody gave lot of negative comments about Air India. We too had the same notion as others as their service was not great from what we have heard but for us the later was about the travel time and duration. And AI weren’t asking for the PCR testing and restrictions. We still sticked to get the 96 hours results and hunting was on the spree to get at-least doctors letter that we are not a asymptomatic carrier.
Ok, as days pass we got to know that Emirates flights are not allowed to land as they didn’t get government clearance and it got cancelled. We hope to get our money back 30days from the cancellation so let’s see! Now, my better half intution has paid off! We were all prepared and getting the stuff ready for travel. Facebook including whatsapp was the key resource for all the information and comments about the journey towards our homeland!
To avoid self qurantine provied by government and for the benefit of elderly at home we booked the Mariott for self qurantine of 14 days they also had some miscommunication that we need to carry a PCR test result to be carried during our stay and later they informed it’s not required as we are anyways locked inside the room and not going to be out for full 14days.
Here are the actuals..
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From what i heard/read that we need two types of forms. Self declaration, Exception if you have a 10 year old kid to skip the insitutional qurantine and be at home quarantine. All of these we can get it on delhi airport website (top right). From the blogs, we got to know that there was no in flight entertainment, limited food. So keeping those in mind we got homemade food (idly podi and Pulliogare) made by our lovely friends aka extended family.
With all the hassle of this covid letters from different doc’s for all us we headed towards our 20 hr journey. Our flight was at 10.30AM so we planned to be at the airport 3hrs earlier to ease out the boarding process and enough time for all the formalities.
First, we were temp checked before reaching to checkin area. You are asked to show your passport and there was self reporting forms which are handed out for you to key in the details but it’s not mandate to fill it rite away but need at the immigration in Chennai. Remember to tear the yellow copy and hand over the white sheet to immigration officer.
Once you are the checkin areas and your passports checked you are been asked to provide an Indian embassy self reporting form. Which we weren’t aware until the last minute but that doesn’t stop us from checkin the baggages and each were around 2-3kgs extra. Luckily we were able to register ourselves online for all of us but we didn’t get the confirmation code. Check your SPAM and hola you find that you have submitted and still waiting for the code. But after a short wait time of 15 mins we told the support person that we didn’t receive the code but we registered. He entered our email details and lets us go to on-boarding. We reached the gate on time and started boarding the flight.
Elderly and passengers with small kids were allowed first which includes us as well. While boarding the flight there is a long queue waiting to board but there are no social distancing followed. You are greeted by PPE worn hostess at the entrance and seats are clean and packed with a bag of food which has Breakfast, Lunch and snacks!
Yes, it’s a limited crew flight with no frequent services of food/beverages. Middle seats are provided with PPE and it’s not mandate to wear unless you feel safe to wear it. There are face-shields, masks and sanitizers that are tagged along with the food. While disembarking at Delhi we were handout immigration forms for customs. We landed 20 mins earlier at Delhi and moving on to transfer. It was quite a walk to the next gate at-least 10mins which i feel the elderly would need to have an active wheel chair assistance. We did a quick security check and proceeded to catch the Chennai flight.
During the walk towards the Chennai flight gate we were engaged in getting the aroghyasetu app which will only work only with your Indian mobile number.
We got our wifi connect with the support staff in Delhi that we landed safely and just 3 hrs away from seeing the loved ones. Before on-boarding, to Chennai we were given similar face-shields but to get inside the flight we have to wear the mask and shield together. And once you get inside the flight we seem similar environment as Delhi flight and this time we the seats had a box of sandwich and few items to munch for 2.5 hrs.
Once landed in Chennai, we had our immigration done within 10-15 mins. The shortest and best of all our travel times. The officer asked for the self declaration form, passports, air suvidha self declaration forms. Once we got the security clearance we were approached by an airport staff that he can help out in getting the baggage from the conveyor belt. With an agitated tone i said i don’t need the service coz i was assuming that he was trying to make up money. Later i went to the next stage where i came across folks from Chennai Corporation asking me to fill in the self declaration form and hand it over the covid testing area. I go what! testing. I said, we don’t need the testing as we got doctor letters that we are covid free and exception letter for skip home quarantine and i have also booked the hotel for 14 days at mariott. He goes, that wont work effective August 13th you need to take the test and quarantine for couple of days until your results are negative.
Btw, in the meantime the pickup driver had called me and i had to tell him that things are out in a good shape and i will call him if im going to be in mariott. Also the hotels keep changing on day to day basis but all of it are decent 4 start hotels with good quality food. So, coming back to the test. You are asked to give the form to the person in-charge of taking your names and number of people with you to allocate the hotel. Irrespective of the the hotel it’s INR2500/day per person and based on your needs the price will vary and mostly you will end up paying 5k/day. Once you agree to pay the money for the hotel you will be redirected to the medical team and anyone above 6months old should take the Covid test(nasal swab). You will carry the test tubes carrying your name on it and will be given to take with you for the test. Once you are done with the test you are asked to board the “public bus” aka pallavan bus to the hotel escorted by a cop.
Best of all my 6 year old kid enjoyed the ride as this was first experience on a public transit in Chennai. Before you take the bus they will also make sure you collect the free food provided for that particular time. Ground staff will help you keep the suitcases but once you reach the hotel you are supposed to keep it out and take it inside the hotel. Make a note that you are required to take the suitcases from the bus and bring it for sanitization. After a quick temperature check, and again handed-over self declaration form (from hotel side) for records.
At the hotel, we are required to give a self declaration form, passport and upfront pay the price for 2 days to get your room key.
Now after 2 days of hotel stay we got to know we tested negative and now heading towards marriott for a week after which home sweet home…
Life is a journey and now we are doing this in quarantine style! Take care and stay blessed.
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