COVID-19 Omicron Variant Throws a Monkey Wrench into Travel Plans

COVID-19 Omicron Variant Throws a Monkey Wrench into Travel Plans

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The COVID-19 Omicron variant wasn’t on anybody’s radar less than a month ago. Now, cases are rapidly spreading and many countries around the world are re-imposing restrictions in its wake.

Omicron is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Nov. 24.

Andrew resident Osama Hamed departed for Cairo, Egypt on Nov. 10 and was taken by surprise along with other people throughout the world. “When I left everything was smooth. Everything was open. It was nice.”

Hamed planned to return Dec. 4. Things began to go sideways three days before he was scheduled to return to Canada. On Dec. 1. I received an email from the airline saying that I’m not allowed to enter Canada unless I do some Covid test. Because I am a Canadian citizen I can come back to Canada with certain conditions and measures.

Prior to his departure to Cairo, Osama said there were no measures in place. Hamed said he was required to have a PCR test in Egypt before he could board a return flight. The PCR test was negative, but Hamed stated that, “The Government of Canada refused to accept the PCR test from Egypt. So, I decided to fly to Germany and get the test done in Munich. And I did, and the result was negative. And I put myself on the plane coming to Canada.

The funny thing was nobody asked me for the test when I’m boarding Air Canada. Tried to show them, and they said yes, yes. That’s enough. That’s another $240 to do the test.”

Hamed said his original ticket was to travel from Toronto to Edmonton, but that had switched to Vancouver. No one was able to provide him with an explanation. Then he was told that he had to do another PCR test at the airport in Vancouver. I did the test and had to wait for an SUV to pick me up to go to the hotel quarantining facility by the government.

“It’s like what you see in the movies. Plastic wrap, people meet you wearing gown and gloves like you’re going to the moon. You walk through cubes to go through to your room. Everything was good at the hotel and had a negative PCR test to get on airplane.”

Due to hours of operation from health officials, there was another delay which forced him to take another flight to Edmonton. “So that cost me another $500.”

Hamed said he took a PCR test eight days after he returned home to Andrew. I followed instructions to return the test that was supposed to be picked up by FedEx, but FedEx doesn’t come to rural areas. So, got permission to drive myself to any FedEx facility with the test. Unfortunately, they do not accept any BIO samples. So, dropped the test at a friends’ in Edmonton for FedEx to pick up, and because of the delay in receiving the sample, they refused the sample.

Then he had to wait for another test to be delivered to him. “Even FedEx in Vegreville cannot accept the samples, but the lady said she’ll help me, accepting the package.”

All of the delays were very frustrating, and instead of waiting for another kit to arrive, he drove to Edmonton to have another PCR test for his own peace of mind, because by that time the mandatory 14 days had passed.

After his ordeal, Hamed advises people to stay home. “It’s not safe right now. If you decide to travel right now you don’t know what’s coming up next. When I flew everything was perfectly fine. Three days before I get back everything collapsed. Everything changed. So, please stay home. Stay alive. Stay healthy with your family.

He said travelers are taking a risk boarding a plane right now. “Maybe the Government of Canada will ban more countries tomorrow. Maybe next time it will be Mexico or Germany. We don’t know.”

He believes the Government of Canada overreacted and should have studied everything before making it a law. “They have to think of the consequences.”

For Hamed, it was a particularly trying and stressful time for him, and he definitely would not want for other people to go through the same things he’s had to in the last couple of weeks.