Flying at last, but it’s just not the same

Out and about: Siti said her travel to the UK wasn’t much different from pre-pandemic days as the country was already in the endemic phase.

PETALING JAYA: Jean Kueh, 28, went to India for a commercial shoot after the borders were opened and was left feeling concerned when she saw locals not wearing face masks.

Daryl Ng, 31, went to Thailand with his wife and decided that he will not be travelling abroad again any time soon. The Covid-19 restrictions were stifling and tests upon arrival and pre-departure were just too expensive.

Kueh was also excited to be travelling again during her recent trip to Kanyakumari.

Travelling abroad is still “not as how it used to be” despite the opening of borders with Covid-19 still casting a dark shadow over trips abroad.

Kueh said exiting via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was a breeze, and there was a smaller crowd than in pre-pandemic times.

“But some officers on the other side seemed more suspicious of illegal activities, probably because there were fewer people to target or because we went in as a group of Chinese people to India,” the fitness instructor and commercial talent said.

Travelling with her team to Kanyakumari since April 9, Kueh said she was excited to be travelling again but was still conscious of Covid-19, especially when locals were not wearing face masks.

“I was quite worried because they were not too Covid-conscious and did not wear masks properly.

“I also had this feeling of being restricted because I was worried about the air not being ‘clean’. It was nothing too hard – just that it was not as free and as fun as travel was back then,” she said.

Sales and events officer Ng said Covid-19 restrictions are still very inconvenient and it was risky to travel.

The airport experience was smooth and seamless but the cost due to restrictions was too high.

“The pre-departure RT-PCR test is not required for Malaysian travellers to Thailand but we still have to do a RT-PCR test upon arrival at the airport and another pre-departure RT-PCR test at least 48 hours before going back to Malaysia.

“The RT-PCR cost in Thailand is double the price in Malaysia,” he said.

However, Ng, who flew to Thailand on April 6 said he was still excited to meet people again although travelling in the new norm made him anxious.

“If you test positive, then your holiday is ruined because you are required to quarantine in another country for 10 days,” he said.

Avid traveller Siti Alya Nadiah Ismail, 25, had a happier experience travelling again to the United Kingdom in March after feeling “trapped” for two years.

“Since I travelled to a country which is in the endemic phase, there wasn’t really much difference from before the pandemic.

“No masks, no social distancing; everything was normal,” the journalist said.

Siti, who travelled with her family, said going abroad after so long felt “unbelievable” and was looking forward to her next trip abroad.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said travelling under the new norm needs adjustments due to the standard operating procedure and Covid-19 test requirements.

“Obviously getting tested positive in a foreign land especially when you are just in Category 1 or 2 is a nuisance as it disrupts travel plans and schedules.

“We should continue to review current SOP at regular intervals and the latest global practices. Makeing travel simple once again is a most welcome move,” he said when contacted.