Positive Test Results when Travelling to China
Positive Test Results when Travelling to China
Why are people testing positive (one negative and one positive) after receiving two negatives four hours earlier, then, upon returning to the same (origin) airport testing negative when travelling back to China from the UK?
The rules for China state that you have to wait for fourteen days to then be allowed to travel again to China.
The sinister side of me says it is financially beneficial for the airlines. Is this true? Let’s look at the information we have to date:
I personally know of at least ten teachers to whom this has happened. According to my research, and after speaking to many teachers. It costs £250 for two Covid tests at Manchester Airport, UK, and £500 for two Covid tests in Helsinki, Finland. This is a massive outlay and considering pre-Covid a return flight from Manchester to Beijing could cost as little as £400, a hell of a lot of money. On top of this flights cost from £4,000 for a single journey. The price has gone up by over one thousand percent for the flight alone and this is only a single, not even a return trip.
This coupled with airlines only refunding up to 80% of the ticket price back seems to me (again, only my opinion) a con of the highest order! I have heard of teachers wearing full-length masks and gloves, plus refusing to eat or drink anything and still testing positive.
For me, this is a little bit when I took my Renault Laguna to a dealership in Manchester, England. When I received a letter from the said dealership about a master cylinder recall. My car was about three years old. When the car was returned to me. Not only was the paintwork on the car damaged (which the dealership said wasn’t their fault). The turbo packed up two days later and there was another fault with the pressure gauge of one of the tires, after speaking to a mechanic friend of mine (who normally services my cars, and has serviced them for the past twenty years), he was convinced it had been tampered with. However, this was difficult to prove at the time (2007). When I rang the dealership up (at that time). Their stock answer was: “Cars go wrong all the time it’s just a coincidence!”
I have been told that the only reason for a recall on a car (usually after three years) is due to the fact there is a high likelihood you will change your car for a new model, and this action gets you into their car showroom.
Are these two related? Let’s look at the similarities here:
- Both these industries would benefit (directly or indirectly)
- They both have a ready-made excuse for all complaints
- Both industries were struggling at the time
- No one would question their motives
This brings me to my original point. Is this just bad luck?
I really don’t think so…
The Cheapest Way to travel to China
The good news is there is another way to travel back to China. A lot of top international schools are advising new and returning teachers to come via Hong Kong, it cost about a third of the price and it’s very unlikely you will test positive in a connecting airport. As of (27.08.22) to fly on 1st September from Manchester to Hong Kong costs £885 (direct) then around £1,000 to fly into China to Beijing (depending on your city, this can be cheaper). Manchester to Beijing cost £2,419 to fly via Amsterdam (high positive Covid test results) and 40 hours travel time. It just makes sense. Prices are increasing on a daily basis for ALL routes.
*The above information was provided by Sky Scanner
*Remember you need to isolate yourself for three days in Hong Kong.
*Isolation of seven days required in Beijing or a city outside, then three days at home.
The worst airports so far (unable to find information online to back this up), surprise, surprise! Paris (France); Amsterdam (Netherlands); Helsinki (Finland); Copenhagen (Denmark).
*Amsterdam has had the most cases of positive test results, from my unqualified research.
Stay safe!
Kieron Nolan (Ignite Director)
Useful Links for when you are Planning your Journey to China
Coronavirus Insights for Your Business in China | China Briefing (china-briefing.com)