Cautiousness the need of the moment as we wait to fly
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The announced date for the return of international travel is approaching and people are counting the days. The resumption of international flights to and from Saudi Arabia is expected on May 17, except for the 20 countries where the ban on flights continues as part of preventive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Saudia airline.
As much as there is restlessness about traveling, there is also apprehension considering the vicious spread of the virus and its mutations, which seem to be sprouting in different places around the world every day. Where to go when most countries are still inaccessible for travel and if there is a possibility that several precautionary measures will be needed before and after returning? Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has told airlines operating in the Kingdom that boarding passes must only be issued to passengers whose health status — as recorded by the Tawakkalna app — is “immune” or “not been confirmed with infection.”
Travelers must regularly check the guidelines and requirements for any destination, obtain a PCR test certificate, and be quarantined upon arrival. Even if people are willing to follow these instructions, many fear the risk of getting stuck if a lockdown is imposed or any other restrictions on movement are introduced, or even of getting infected abroad and getting the necessary care.
Aside from the heavy toll and burden on the health sector, no doubt the worldwide travel, tourism and hospitality industry has suffered the most during this pandemic. Airlines, hotels and tourism agencies, as well as businesses closely associated with them such as retail, culinary and touristic/cultural sites, are eagerly looking forward to seeing customers again, but traveling will not be the same. It is estimated that the tourism industry lost $1.3 trillion in export revenue in 2020 and more than 100 million jobs. Travel experts are very cautious in their outlook, with the majority not expecting a return to pre-pandemic levels before 2023 or 2024. With fears of potentially more dangerous variants of COVID-19 spreading, restrictions are being reintroduced, making any plans involving travel difficult, whether for the purpose of tourism, business, conferences or personal and family occasions.
For those who were used to traveling regularly, it will seem like a new experience after a whole year of not being able to go abroad.
Maha Akeel
“While much has been made in making safe international travel a possibility, we are aware that the crisis is far from over,” UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in January. “The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk-reduction measures, including testing, tracing and vaccination certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel and prepare for the recovery of tourism once conditions allow.”
For those who were used to traveling regularly, it will seem like a new experience after a whole year of not being able to go abroad. The running joke is that people have forgotten what an airport and the inside of a plane looks like, or how to pack their suitcases and make all the travel arrangements. The ban on travel has really made us appreciate this luxury and many other amenities that we used to take for granted, including simple things such as getting together with family and friends, dining out or walking in a public place.
Even taking a deep breath outdoors has become problematic without the ever-present mask, which is now a permanent feature on everyone’s face. An unexpected side benefit to the travel ban, however, is the discovery of national hidden treasures; historical and natural sites that are now receiving well-deserved attention and investment by the authorities.
One of the most emotional longings for Muslims is being at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Watching the images of only a few individuals circling the Kaaba and praying at the mosques at the beginning of the lockdown was heartbreaking. Thankfully, the Saudi government has gradually opened up accessibility, while taking the necessary precautions and implementing a highly efficient system for getting permission to perform Umrah, prayers or visitation through apps and the services of the relevant authorities. The government has thus proved its dedication to serving worshippers while maintaining the health protocols of vaccination, face masks and social distancing: A trio that will be with us for some time.
Last year’s Ramadan was melancholic, as we were in the grip of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with all the lockdowns, curfews and panic over sanitation, quarantine and a lack of cures or vaccines. The situation today is much better. Truly, the Saudi authorities have made commendable, immediate and organized efforts in containing the spread of the virus, providing healthcare indiscriminately, including vaccinations as soon as they became available, and maintaining a vigilant watch and measures through various apps to facilitate the safe return to semi-normal life.
We should appreciate these efforts and play our role in acting responsibly and following the regulations in order to continue enjoying these simple pleasures. As Eid Al-Fitr approaches, let us remember how joyless it was last year and hold on to what we have regained so that it is celebrated safely and joyfully this time. Unfortunately, countries that have become lax or overconfident after their initial success in tackling the virus, or that did not take it seriously enough, are now in regret as their situations have become very critical. Cautiousness is the need of the moment.
• Maha Akeel is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. Twitter: @MahaAkeel1
