The Hassles and Expenses of Travelling in Covid times

My Son travelled last week from Mumbai to Muscat to visit us. I was wanting to avoid any travels from either side and was hoping that when things would be little settled either we would travel back to India or he would come to Muscat. But then it was almost 4 months that we met each other, the longest time till now that we have not met each other. So he planned to come and visit us.

I am feeling a little bad for calling him here, for all the hassle he has to go through. But then it was our 25th Anniversary and as a family we all wanted to be together. The process of travelling is so tedious at this point of time. In a span of 9 days he had to undergo 3 PCR test, like seriously crazy and loads of online formalities. This is now a big time money making business. In all in the last 9 days, we have spent close to 200$ just on these test and formalities. At every step there is some money to be paid.

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Before his travel he had to get 1 PCR test done 72 hours prior to the travel in Mumbai, which he got it done and the result was negative, then he had to do online registration of his travel and test results had to be uploaded. It was quite a confusing and time consuming process. At the Mumbai Airport thankfully the checking process was fast and he could finish the formalities with ease.

On arriving at Muscat Airport, again there was a PCR test done at the Airport itself, before leaving the Airport premises, and then they also gave a tracking wrist band for a 7 day quarantine. Now this is crazy. You already have a negative test report, then too you need to get it done. You get the PCR test report in 24 hrs, then irrespective of the test result positive or negative, you still have to follow a 7 day quarantine. Seriously crazy, I can't understand the connections. If the quarantine is mandatory in any case, then why the PCR?

Then on the 8th day, you again need to go for one more PCR, complete some loads of online formalities. Without any exaggeration, it took us almost 3 hours to do all these online formalities. On the 9th day if the test result is negative then they will cut the band. And to cut the band, which is just one chop with a scissor, you need to pay around 8$ for it. If you want to avoid paying these 8$ then you need to go to a government hospital, where the test is done in a very shabby manner. So it is a choice you need to make.

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This is a complete loot in the name of safety and precaution. I can imagine the amount of revenue earned through all these processes. At every step there is some charge to the traveler. This makes the overall travelling so very expensive. The ticket prices are anyways high in covid times and then this additional cost.

In normal times an economy class Mumbai - Muscat return flight would cost around 200$ total, and now just the covid formalities cost that much and the ticket prices are almost double to 400$. So in short, where we used to pay around 200$ for a travel, we are now paying around 600$.

For return it is a little better. He will have to undergo only 1 PCR test, and that would be here in Muscat itself 72 hours before he travels. Once he reaches India, he does not need to go through the test again. The PCR test are so painful and irritating. At some places they are also done very harshly. I can't imagine myself going through all of this. So I have decided I am not going to travel unless all this chaos is eased out.

We are definitely in the New World Order :-( and I absolutely do not like it.

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