Expat Community > Philippines

Asawa
Joined 2018
Posts: 758

Travel Seems Normal - 1st Return since March 2020

1 year ago

My wife is returning for the first time since since the pandemic.

For folks who are vaccinated, the trips seem back to being routine. You have to have masks ready for some places and fill out the eArrival Card on a Philippine website.

My wife and I returned to the US (from the Philippines0 in January 2020. During a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong, we both caught Flu-like symptoms, This was two months before things locked down in March 2020. We had high fevers several days and nights. I was in bed for 2 weeks and needed 5 weeks to recover. My wife was sick for 1 week, and needed 2 weeks to recover. With no guidance, we dismissed things as the flu, but we stayed home so we wouldn't infect any friends, co-workers, family, or folks at church.

My wife is taking this trip solo, and I'm holding back to manage affairs in the US. My wife will spend 45 days visiting parents, and catching up with our extended family.

The travel has been largely routine so far. We elected to fly Philippine Airlines to minimize connections and avoid China and Korea.

The Health Pass required a PC and a web browser to fill out. She tried a phone and a tablet with no success. I did it in about 5 minutes on a Windows-based computer using Chrome. I sent her the screenshots, and she was good to go.

She had her vaccination records, but Philippine Airlines required the QR Code to issue a boarding pass. They also scanned it at the gate. She had her vaccination cards too, but only the US Connection asked to see that.

I"ll post a redacted photo of the health pass. Things seem largely routine at this point. She'll have to wear a mask once she gets to the Philippines.

Her total travel time will be 42 hours from the moment we left the driveway to the moment her brother picks her up. The US Airline canceled her afternoon flight, and moved her to a morning flight. That meant she had to hang out Los Angeles Airport for 11 hours. (Was originally 3.5 hours before the afternoon flight was canceled and consolidated with the morning one).

I'm happy she'll make it in only 3 connection: Orlando to Los Angeles, LA to Manila, and Manil to Davao. She's 30-some hours in, and will land in Manila in about 4 hours.

I really have no point except to share. Partially social. Partially informational about our experience. I hope everyone is well.

-Asawa

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