An 8-Hour Testing Process On Arrival: One Woman’s Experience Of Flying

We all knew that the experience of flying was going to drastically change in a post-coronavirus world. Just as security was a big factor after 9/11, we all expected extra health checks would be the new norm as passengers return to the sky.

Today, we’ve been given a glimpse into what that future might look like. One woman (journalist Laurel Chor) chronicled her journey from London to Hong Kong, with a stop off in Paris. Her fascinating Twitter thread on the experience might reassure you about flying and put you off, in equal measure.

The process will certainly vary from country to country, but Hong Kong are certainly taking things very seriously.

The Experience Of Flying Into Hong Kong Started With An 8 Hour Wait…

I’ve landed in Hong Kong after flying from Paris CDG, via London Heathrow. I now have to wait ~8 hours before I get my #COVID19 test results and thus have ample time to tweet about my experience. pic.twitter.com/jCDPuwrTzL

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

Although the flight was fairly quiet, there were some lengthy steps to get through upon arrival…

I just went through this, but there were so many steps & stations upon arrival in HK that I’ve forgotten half. I filled in a quarantine order + a health declaration, was made to download an app, received a tracking bracelet, had it registered. Someone checked my phone # worked. pic.twitter.com/Bm0gHDIdiJ

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

The process involved getting issued with a kit to self-test for Covid-19 and a form with various questions to answer…

After receiving my bracelet and my thermometer, I went on through immigration and got my bags as normal. On the other side we were directed onto buses and young men in full protection gear helped load our bags onto the bus. pic.twitter.com/ldU2nDQNYF

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

Clear video instructions show you how to do the test, before you get your own private booth to conduct the test…

Here’s a time lapse of me awkwardly doing my self-test in my booth: I made a “kruuuar” sound as instructed to hock up my deep-throat saliva & spit it into a tube (w/ the help of a paper funnel) and double-bagged it. Several ppl made sure the tube was upright when I handed it in. pic.twitter.com/XzPNlTkQdN

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

Then, the long waiting game begins….

They have announced they are releasing my flight and will be calling out tag numbers and seat numbers! It’s been almost 7 hours since I arrived here. They are on tag #349. I’m #423. This is like the best game of bingo ever pic.twitter.com/XB8HOV59xG

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

Even when you do get through the process, officials give you another kit to test yourself in 10 days. You must report back these results.

I am negative for #covid19!!! I am free to go! I have to collect a sample again on May 25 and they’ve given me a folder with a test pack + other info. I’ll unbox all these goodies for y’all later but first I’m outta here!! pic.twitter.com/ecjXB8nQSS

— Laurel Chor (@laurelchor) May 14, 2020

This would give you a lot of confidence from a health perspective, but it must be an exhausting process after an 8 hour flight. Would you fly under these conditions?