Testing

Travel used to be easy. We bought our plane tickets, went to the airport, got on the plane arrived at the destination then days or weeks later did the same in reverse. And that was it!

Now, this is only a memory. Now we have a new normal. Before even getting on the plane we have to prove that we are healthy and before returning home we again have to prove our health status. This is all ok and acceptable if it serves any purpose and if it is being uniformly enforced. 

As far as I know here in the US one needs to have a not older than three day certificate proving that the traveler tested negative on a Covid test both before leaving and upon returning. Ok, the before leaving certificate can easily be obtained.

But what if the person travels to a foreign country that is not very well equipped to provide such a document. Then what? What is the alternative? I don't think airlines permit boarding without such a proof of health. If airports are equipped to do the testing and provide the acceptable proof what whould that cost? I don't think American medical insurers pay for such a thing.

Just for the heck of it if such a test cost $125 per person, a family of four have to shell out $500 for a one-way trip. Not a cheap little excursion.