Traveling during the pandemic December 2021

By Halal Xplorer Travel Tips January 6, 2022

Traveling during the pandemic - December 2021

Traveling or at least planning for a trip away can be stressful in the best of times. So, couple that with a global pandemic that many have not witnessed anything remotely similar in their lifetimes – that makes traveling extremely stressful to plan. I have traveled twice during the Covid-19 pandemic – once in December 2020 and most recently in December 2021. Both times to Dubai and both times was essentially for business and I had no other choice than to travel. In 2020, I went on my own and I did not explore much (ordered in most of the time – read more about that experience here) and in 2021 I went with my wife. It had been so long since we went on a holiday, we thought we’d book a cheeky trip to Istanbul on the way back from Dubai.

So, I wouldn’t necessarily advise on traveling right now, but it is a choice you have to make weighing up your own circumstances.

A key aspect of traveling during the pandemic is knowing the entry requirements of your destination and your home country. So, check these entry requirements on your country’s government website, your country’s and destination’s main airline website. These are changing at short notice so triple check before you travel.

The following is true as of December 2021:

Dubai – all you need to present is a negative PCR test 72 hours (they check this at your home country’s airport) – no QR code needed from the UK – may have a random PCR test at the Dubai airport. Please note if you are going Abu Dhabi, the requirements are different even if it is in the same country. As of January, this has now changed.
Istanbul – fully vaccinated or negative PCR test 72 hours or recent recovery from COVID-19 or a rapid antigen test 48 hours. Also, fill in online form 72 hours prior (this was actually not even checked).

Returning to the UK

Negative PCR or rapid antigen test to be shown on arrival 48 hours prior to departure (this is due to change).
Complete passenger locator form and Day 2 test once back (need to book prior – the booking reference will be needed on the passenger locator form).

All of the above is true as of December 2021. They can and probably will change in short notice.

How was the experience?

Prior to traveling, the PCR tests themselves are very stressful – a) because I absolutely hate anything going up my nose or throat and b) the stress of wanting the result to come back negative. Not to mention the fact that they are not free either. Extremely expensive in the UK in comparison to the ones abroad (at least the one we did in Istanbul). And then it is even more laughable when you look at the quality of the tests (not the place to comment). Apart from that your holiday experience will be like any other holiday experience, but that may depend on your destination. Dubai and Istanbul felt like normal life was resuming with the only difference being the face mask (everyone wears it there unlike the UK). In some places, you’ll have to forget social distancing, but this isn’t even abroad – this was the case in the airport here in the UK!

Overall, the holiday experience is the same as prior to the pandemic, but the main issue is the PCR tests and the stresses that comes with that. It can ruin a holiday.

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