To limit the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic at the time of variants, states are reopening and closing their borders in dispersed order.
In France, for example, since the end of January 2021,
"all entry and exit to or from a country outside the European Union is prohibited, except for an overriding reason"
.
From April 24, in order to curb the spread of the Brazilian variant, France is also establishing a mandatory ten-day quarantine for people from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Guyana, and France. South Africa and India.
Read also: These countries that will welcome vaccinated tourists this summer
Abroad, the same struggle.
Most countries have opted for closed doors, while others require incoming visitors to isolate themselves for several days.
Thus to get to Cuba, Taiwan and Australia, Damien, Matthieu and Lonni had not only to present an armada of administrative documents to justify their trip, but also to carry out quarantine (at their expense).
Very strict isolation, according to them.
Marie, although she was positive for Covid-19 in Zanzibar, was only instructed to
"return to the airport only with a negative test"
... Story of these few days away from the world, which can take a turn very different depending on the destination chosen.
Strict health protocol in Taiwan
Before he can get on his Paris-Taiwan flight, it will be five months. Five months during which, Matthieu, 32, team leader in IT, had to cunning to obtain a residence permit to join his campaign in Taipei. Once the precious sesame is in his pocket, there follows a slew of administrative forms to fill out: one for the French government, one for the Taiwanese authorities, one for the airline and one for his future hotel, already booked among a dozen. places intended to welcome travelers in fourteen. The young man chose a room among the cheapest: for 1,200 euros, he will be accommodated, fed and cleaned, in a hotel equivalent to a three-star in France.
The computer scientist therefore landed in Taipei on April 7.
“Upon exiting the plane, the travelers were divided into two groups. Those who had a Taiwanese SIM card and those who had to buy one, ”
says Matthieu.
“Thanks to her, the authorities geolocate us. If they lose GPS contact during the 14 days of compulsory quarantine, the police disembark at the hotel, ”he
explains. Throughout this isolation, he will receive two text messages a day: one to find out if all is well. The other so that he can tell his temperature.
Once in his room, Matthieu no longer has the right to leave it. Under any circumstances. Meals and everything he needs are left on his doorstep.
“Even people who arrived as a couple must confine themselves alone,” he
says.
"The rules are very strict, no exceptions are made."
Even when he receives an alert warning him of an earthquake in Taiwan, a few days ago, the instructions remain the same: he is ordered to remain locked up, on pain of a fine of up to 3,000 euros. On April 22, his confinement ends, Matthieu is free. Well, almost: he will have to wait another week before being able to go to a restaurant or to a welcoming place.
An "isolation package
"
for everyone in Australia
Like him, Lonni, 36, a researcher at Monash University in Melbourne, had to wait several months before being able to set foot on Australian soil again.
Due to a lack of space in the quarantine hotels reserved for nationals and foreigners with a work visa, his plane was pushed back several times.
The doctoral student, who tells his story in a thread published on twitter, ends up taking off at the end of March… While his tickets have been reserved since September.
As for his arrival on Australian territory, it is more or less the same story as that of Matthew.
“We recovered our luggage one by one, watched by dozens of police officers, before being escorted by bus to our quarantine hotels. During the journey, we were not even allowed to open the windows, ”he
says. On the spot, after being sprayed with hydroalcoholic liquid, Lonni is taken to a hotel room, where he will have to remain isolated for fourteen days.
A
"comfortable" room, which
he could not choose, but in which he still enjoyed spending his forties.
"The Australian government is making sure to offer infrastructures of a certain standard so that people live their confinement properly", he
comments, happy to have been able to follow yoga classes online from the television in his room. and take part in napkin folding photo contests, organized by the hotel management. Price side:
"everyone is housed in the same boat"
, according to the scientist. Namely, a flat rate of 3,000 Australian dollars (approximately 2,000 euros) for the two weeks of full board.
Throughout his quarantine, Lonni will receive three phone calls a day at random times: from the front desk, hotel medical staff, and security guards.
The researcher will also be tested for Covid-19 several times during his stay.
If the isolation is not respected, he risks a fine of up to 6,000 dollars (5,000 euros).
To read also: Permit to travel to Japan or Australia: why this announcement is to be taken with a grain of salt
Five days of isolation and two PCRs for Cuba
In Cuba, where 30-year-old Damien had to go to shoot an advertisement, the rules are somewhat different.
In addition to the PCR carried out on French soil, another test is carried out on arrival.
Pending the results of the latter, travelers are confined for five days, in a hotel previously reserved from a list of places intended for isolation.
Damien and his team opted for one of the cheapest: around 750 euros for five days,
all inclusive
.
As for comfort, nothing to report, the hotel is
"all that there is more classic",
according to the communicator, who takes advantage of this week of calm and Wi-Fi to telecommute.
Read also: Telecommuting in a dream place, the false good idea?
If the isolation is shorter, the health rules are just as strict.
Damien is forbidden to leave his room and collects his meals in front of his door.
“With my colleagues, we communicate by shouting from our balconies,”
laughs the one who works for the adventure magazine
Les Others.
In case of non-compliance with the instructions, he too risks a hefty fine.
In Zanzibar, Covid, which Covid?
Marie, 27, marketing consultant, has lived through her forties completely out of the blue. While positive for Covid-19 abroad, she was able to roam free as the air. Having gone to telework in Zanzibar in February, the sales representative decided to come back to France at the end of March. So she does a PCR test in one of the only two laboratories on the island and heads for the airport. On site, he was told that his test was positive. The young executive must therefore
"shift her tickets and come back with another negative test"
... That's all.
Marie does not receive any isolation instructions, is not subject to any health regulations and will not be subject to any surveillance ... She alone decides to stay away for a few days in a youth hostel in the center of Stone Town. To do her shopping, go out for lunch or dinner, she takes every precaution and respects barrier gestures to the letter. At the end of this quarantine, she will perform a second test: negative this time. As a precaution, on her return to France, she will continue her self-quarantine. Another country, other customs and another quarantine ...