Covid Curtain

My Flight Behind The Covid Curtain

I finally arrived to the Republic of Georgia in Late June, after being stuck in the USA since March, when the Georgian border closed due to COVID-19. It was a strange trip behind the COVID closed borders, indeed. Upon arriving in Europe, I was required to remain in the transit zone of Amsterdam airport as the Netherlands is restricted to entry with 14 days quarantine required at that time. Since I arrived, the E.U. closed on July 1st to Americans. I had a fair amount of trepidation about the trip because of my experience in Turkey last March. I was flying from Vilnius, Lithuania, to Tbilisi, Georgia, via Istanbul, Turkey, when borders began to close. I became trapped in Turkey and neither able to continue on to my destination, nor return to my point of origin where I had been working. Now Georgian Airways was refusing to confirm in advance of my arrival in Amsterdam that I would be permitted to board the flight to Tbilisi without a Georgian passport. They said the border police will decide when I arrive.

I was surprised that the agent of United Airlines at Newark airport check-in required that I show my Georgian marriage certificate and a copy of my Georgian wife’s passport to receive my boarding pass. This was my key to coming home to her. I though that the questioning of my eligibility to enter Georgia would only sincerely begin once I arrived in Amsterdam. I had to repeat the proof of eligibility to enter Georgia with the United gate agent, too. The airport itself was sparsely populated and most cafes and shops were closed. Same thing in Amsterdam, and it was easier there to get my boarding pass, too.

My next surprise was when boarding the Georgian Airways flight. I was greeted at the door by the flight attendants wearing hooded, bio-hazard protective suits with, gloves and full face shields and masks. The United crew had only worn surgical masks and gloves.

Selfie in transit zone of Amsterdam airport.

Ours was the only flight arriving in Tbilisi that day, so we were met by lots of police to control social distancing as we walked the long corridor to passport control, have our temperature taken by thermal cameras, and collect our luggage. Next, about 100 of us who arrived on the full Embraer 190 jet were led to 3 coach buses bound for government sponsored quarantine, driven by bio-hazard suited men. We drove in a caravan for 3 hours, escorted 2 by police cars to our hotel half way across the country. We only learned of the location of our hotel once we boarded the bus to be Akhaltsikhe. I believe the reason for the long distance destination is to spread the wealth being spent on accommodations to all regions of Georgia. The hotels in Tbilisi had already had their fair share of quarantine money allocations from the government early in the border closure story.

The accommodations I received were nice. I had a corner room with a view of Rabati Castle from my balcony. Inside the castle walls is an ancient church next to an ancient Mosque. It’s a popular tourist destination that I have been to before. However, this time I was not permitted to leave my room and packaged meals were left at my door. It was simple food, comprised of mostly starches, and some meat, dairy, and vegetables. Occasionally some fruit was in the bag, too. Instant coffee and tea had been placed in my room prior to arrival, next to an electric kettle. Georgian and Russian programs are available on the TV. Rarely, did I find some English language show. Usually it was RT News from Moscow. The WiFi bandwidth was weak, so full use of the internet was challenging. It was ok for me. I fortunately know enough Georgian to follow a story and this helped to improve it. Russian, nyet. I have to study it more. It’s useful in this part of the world.

All in all, I have no complains because at least I was assured to be reunited with my Georgian family ‪by mid-July. A doctor came to my door daily for a thermal temperature reading. She informed me that 2 days before scheduled departure, we would all take COVID-19 swab test before being released. I have been basically isolated at home in New Jersey for months after getting repatriated back to the USA from Turkey. My trip through the airports and flights back to Georgia were a disinfectant and contagion protocol odyssey. Little chance that I would incubate this novel virus now. Home at last and reunited with my wife and infant daughter. Both of which I never intended to be separated from for so long. Never again! Next time I accept an extended work assignment away from home, they are coming, too!