Getting Ready for Jordan and Egypt - January 2022

We're weeks away from starting our Jordan and Egypt trip. Our bags are packed and only last minute items need to be added.

Traveling during a peak Omicron infection period has raised a number of airline and country COVID hurdles to jump through. In addition, our luggage now includes additional health-related supplies.

PCR Tests

The first thing we've had to arrange was PCR tests. While this seems straight forward, we need to ensure the tests are taken within the airline and country time and test type requirements. Moreover, these requirements can change at any time. I was recently told of a case where the destination country's COVID testing requirement changed while the travelers were mid-flight. At the destination airport, the travelers were charged $300 to deal with the missing COVID tests. 

We are taking PCR tests on multiple consecutive days as our flights are not non-stop and we need to consider an airline delay or flight change that could change our arrival date. As a final last ditch measure, we are taking a couple of country approved antigen test kits should we feel ill during the trip.

Travel Insurance

We were informed that Jordan currently requires tourists to have a letter from their travel insurance carrier documenting COVID-19 coverage. Luckily, our insurance, CF Travel Insured, provided this letter along with its coverage material. Trip interruption coverage and COVID related medical and expense coverage are important travel insurance features for you insurance.

Packing for Possible COVID Exposure

In addition to clothing, electronics and toiletries, our carry-on and check-in luggage includes health products that either help to prevent COVID exposure or help us once exposed. We typically don't pack these items for international travel. Most of these items are in our carry-on luggage as it would be challenging to replace the items while in Jordan or Egypt should our check-in luggage be lost or delayed. Here are the items we identified as useful:

• N95 and KN95 Face Masks
• Disinfectant Wipes & Hand Sanitizer
• Nitrate Gloves
• Digital Thermometer with Alcohol Wipes & Covers
• Oximeter
• Tylenol and Naproxen
• Antigen COVID test kits for return flight (2 kits) and if needed during the trip (2 kits)

Final Details

We're checking airflight details on a daily basis as OMICRON has messed up air travel schedules. We also need to complete the Jordan and Egypt COVID Declaration Forms and COVID forms for the trip organizer within 48 hours of leaving California.