Long Post Alert (Totally worth it):
#PakistanZindabad #COVID #Pandemic #Islamabad #PIA
#MinistryofHealth #Punjab <3
Given the COVID-19 global crisis, decided to make an emergency visit to Pakistan, hence landed from Toronto to Islamabad today, April 4, 2020.
Air Carrier: Pakistan International Airlines (PK 789)
COVID 19 preps:
Seats were assigned with a blocked seat in between for all passengers. We were lucky to get a complete row of three to each of us (we were two passengers).
Islamabad was very well prepared to handle COVID from the inbound passengers. It was an immense pleasure to watch our country on the toes, so diligent. The thought process and perseverance is commendable and much praiseworthy.
1. Upon landing at ISB, all the passengers were seated within in the departure lounge of the gate the plane taxied and SWAB tests were performed for each and every passenger. The passengers were issued a lab client ID against their CNIC. The reports are expected to be in within 24 hours.
2. After the swab test, we were tested for temperature with two different devices installed at two different spots before the passport control.
3. Once cleared, we moved to Passport control, got our entry stamped and then to the carousel for baggage pickup.
4. After picking up our luggage, we were directed, in groups of tens, to various buses to drop us at a hotel.
5. We got assigned to Regalia hotel in G6 (Blue Area, Islamabad). My mom and myself are assigned separate rooms, a protocol ensured for all the travelers).
6. Chicken Curry, Roti (flat bread) and salad served for dinner.
Everything provided at the airline/government expense (very surprising and much appreciated where most of us were ready to pay).
The least we can do is practice their measures and praise their effort <3
It is a proud moment for all of us to witness such sanity being practiced in our country.
On the contrrary, despite being highly organized and vigilant, the intent of social distancing was jeopardized repeatedly due to public non-cooperation which was absolutely non-deliberate (including myself a few times such as standing closer to people and not shooing them away at points suxh as, the swab test area, while boarding the bus, getting rooms at the hotels). Rest, the passengers cooperated to best and it was a very satisfying moment.
Other things to be noted:
Ticket Price: A whopping $2600 for two people, one way (I mention this because, I believe that in such hours of crisis, all the companies should show compassion, sadly PIA didn’t and charged a fortune. However, we still were the lucky ones as there were people who were flying at $1900 per person, one way. This is not a complain but just a simple feeling coz besides this and IFE, PIA has captivated me completely and booked me as their client for future)
Origin: Toronto (YYZ)
Destination: Islamabad
Flying Duration: 12 Hours 35 Min
Flight Experience: Regretfully, IFE was not there but we knew that before opting for the flight, so that doesn’t count. Besides, excellent dinner (had 4 options), snacks and beverages (self service throughout the flight) and breakfast, marvellous cabin crew, superb hospitality and outstanding COVID measures. PIA totally bought me as a permanent client, for future travel.
Pakistan Zindabad!
#PakistanZindabad #COVID #Pandemic #Islamabad #PIA
#MinistryofHealth #Punjab <3
Given the COVID-19 global crisis, decided to make an emergency visit to Pakistan, hence landed from Toronto to Islamabad today, April 4, 2020.
Air Carrier: Pakistan International Airlines (PK 789)
COVID 19 preps:
Seats were assigned with a blocked seat in between for all passengers. We were lucky to get a complete row of three to each of us (we were two passengers).
Islamabad was very well prepared to handle COVID from the inbound passengers. It was an immense pleasure to watch our country on the toes, so diligent. The thought process and perseverance is commendable and much praiseworthy.
1. Upon landing at ISB, all the passengers were seated within in the departure lounge of the gate the plane taxied and SWAB tests were performed for each and every passenger. The passengers were issued a lab client ID against their CNIC. The reports are expected to be in within 24 hours.
2. After the swab test, we were tested for temperature with two different devices installed at two different spots before the passport control.
3. Once cleared, we moved to Passport control, got our entry stamped and then to the carousel for baggage pickup.
4. After picking up our luggage, we were directed, in groups of tens, to various buses to drop us at a hotel.
5. We got assigned to Regalia hotel in G6 (Blue Area, Islamabad). My mom and myself are assigned separate rooms, a protocol ensured for all the travelers).
6. Chicken Curry, Roti (flat bread) and salad served for dinner.
Everything provided at the airline/government expense (very surprising and much appreciated where most of us were ready to pay).
The least we can do is practice their measures and praise their effort <3
It is a proud moment for all of us to witness such sanity being practiced in our country.
On the contrrary, despite being highly organized and vigilant, the intent of social distancing was jeopardized repeatedly due to public non-cooperation which was absolutely non-deliberate (including myself a few times such as standing closer to people and not shooing them away at points suxh as, the swab test area, while boarding the bus, getting rooms at the hotels). Rest, the passengers cooperated to best and it was a very satisfying moment.
Other things to be noted:
Ticket Price: A whopping $2600 for two people, one way (I mention this because, I believe that in such hours of crisis, all the companies should show compassion, sadly PIA didn’t and charged a fortune. However, we still were the lucky ones as there were people who were flying at $1900 per person, one way. This is not a complain but just a simple feeling coz besides this and IFE, PIA has captivated me completely and booked me as their client for future)
Origin: Toronto (YYZ)
Destination: Islamabad
Flying Duration: 12 Hours 35 Min
Flight Experience: Regretfully, IFE was not there but we knew that before opting for the flight, so that doesn’t count. Besides, excellent dinner (had 4 options), snacks and beverages (self service throughout the flight) and breakfast, marvellous cabin crew, superb hospitality and outstanding COVID measures. PIA totally bought me as a permanent client, for future travel.
Pakistan Zindabad!
