Safety of Traveling Abroad (Middle East) during Pandemic: I would like member opinion/thoughts about whether you would go on a 2 week photo vacation to the Middle East. The group trip...

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

I would like member opinion/thoughts about whether you would go on a 2 week photo vacation to the Middle East. The group trip is scheduled for March 2022 and will spend a week in Egypt and another in Jordan. It is being led by a prominent photography company.
The trip was originally planned before Covid 19 hit. Supposedly precautions and safeguards are in place to create a bubble of protection for group members. However, as of today less than 1% of the population of Egypt and Jordan have been vaccinated against Covid 19. So I don’t see how there can be much of a bubble. Yes, I am vaccinated but Im a senior with some pre-existing conditions.
So, anyone with first hand experience recently traveling in the Middle East? Would you go or cancel and use the travel insurance policy to get a refund?

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

My cardiologist is from Jordan so I can tell you his opinion. He did not travel home for family last year and he will not do it this year. His family and he have had all vaccines but the virus is still rampant and accuracy is not reflected. For him safety is of the utmost he stated He said he will see what 2022 is like. He and several of my physicians advise against any foreign travel and esp air travel. Cabin air is only recirculated and still contagious

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

For better or worse --
My wife & I signed up with Nat. Geo. for a 2 week trip to Egypt in Feb 2022 --
Frankly, with us, it's now or never

PS: We have gladly taken our shots -- One of our considerations is that we could "stay home & safe" & still catch this crap while doing our weekly shopping at the market from one of our fellow American 40/50 million unvaccinated Citizens -- OR take a chance & see the splendors of Ancient Egypt

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mario22 wrote:

I would like member opinion/thoughts about whether... (show quote)

It really depends on how this virus evolves. The situation is fluid, and what might be considered informed guidance will likely change many times between now and March 2022. Personally my wife and I will only travel domestically, and not to areas where people are ignoring common sense precautions to help curb the spread of the virus. While it's true that by both being vaccinated and wearing masks at gatherings or indoors will greatly improve the odds against either of us getting infected, and if we do being hospitalized - we are not willing to gamble on our lives. But everyone's mileage is different.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Personally, I would avoid such trips at this time. Even vaccinated, you can still get sick if you are exposed to Covid, although the likelihood of ending up in the hospital is of course much lower. Should you require medical attention, Egypt is probably not the most ideal place to be. Better to postpone the trip by a year or two is my recommendation.

Bill_de Loc: US

Mario22 wrote:

I would like member opinion/thoughts about whether... (show quote)

I would be researching what the health/covid situation is in the places you will be travelling. Also, has the itinerary changed since you first booked the trip? If so, for better or worse?

Unless their is a urgency to take this trip, I would pass.

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47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

For 2020, my wife and I had booked an October trip to Tunisia that was cancelled a couple months prior to commencing by the tour company. It was rescheduled for the same time frame this year. At the same time, my wife booked a Christmas tour on the Nile, which she also rescheduled for this December. Since then, for COVID reasons, we canceled the Tunisia trip and booked one for Sicily that is two months from now. The Nile Christmas trip has been pushed back to 2022. Our only concern, given the precautions implemented by the tour company, is the flights. And, honestly, I'm more concerned about unruly jerks flying than I am with COVID. My wife and I are both vaccinated and have no underlying conditions that make us more vulnerable. We are still wearing masks when appropriate. Because of airline filtering systems, the biggest concern are passengers sitting within 6 feet of you. For that reason, don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Buy the best mask you can fine, N95 or KN95 or a HEPA mask capable of blocking 99% of particles. And, go here often:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

JimBart wrote:

My cardiologist is from Jordan so I can tell you his opinion. He did not travel home for family last year and he will not do it this year. His family and he have had all vaccines but the virus is still rampant and accuracy is not reflected. For him safety is of the utmost he stated He said he will see what 2022 is like. He and several of my physicians advise against any foreign travel and esp air travel. Cabin air is only recirculated and still contagious

Thx so much for sharing. This says a lot to me. I also don’t think air travel is especially safe.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

ken_stern wrote:

For better or worse --
My wife & I signed up with Nat. Geo. for a 2 week trip to Egypt in Feb 2022 --
Frankly, with us, it's now or never

PS: We have gladly taken our shots -- One of our considerations is that we could "stay home & safe" & still catch this crap while doing our weekly shopping at the market from one of our fellow American 40/50 million unvaccinated Citizens -- OR take a chance & see the splendors of Ancient Egypt

True, there are no guarantees in this life. However, I prefer make informed decisions and play it safe. Perhaps too safe, perhaps not. I sincerely wish you and your wife a safe and wonderful trip.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

Gene51 wrote:

It really depends on how this virus evolves. The s... (show quote)

Your comment does bring to mind another concern of traveling abroad. If you get Covid, you have to rely on their medical system and treatments available; not those available at home. I think it might be best to limit my travel, for now, to what is driving distance from home.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

rook2c4 wrote:

Personally, I would avoid such trips at this time. Even vaccinated, you can still get sick if you are exposed to Covid, although the likelihood of ending up in the hospital is of course much lower. Should you require medical attention, Egypt is probably not the most ideal place to be. Better to postpone the trip by a year or two is my recommendation.

That is what I hoped to do, but the tour company is now telling group members to make their airline reservations. They did postpone the trip, originally slated for this past April 2021, to March 2022. That was after everyone balked at going. I expected, hoped, they would do the same this time, but so far no. It does not make sense to me. Thx for your thoughts.

BigOldArt Loc: Seminole, FL

https://eg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/

https://jo.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

I looked at many pandemic preparedness plans from 1983 until I retired in 2001. I would not go. I am a senior with pre-existing conditions.

Consider the relative risk of (a) staying home while maintaining social distancing and masks vs (b) traveling through airports, passport control, etc with large numbers of people from many places for whom you do not know their vax status.

The more often you thow the dice the more likely to throw a snake eyes.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

47greyfox wrote:

For 2020, my wife and I had booked an October trip... (show quote)

Thx for cdc link. I do use masks inside (NYS) and have N95 if things get really bad here again.

Ratelliott

I was in Egypt and Jordan in Nov, 2019, shortly before COVID. Most of the attractions and sites that I assume you will visit and photograph are outdoors. This reduces your risk. On the other hand, it was crowded. I no idea what the crowds are like now. I would check with the tour group to see what the crowds are like these days. Most tour companies are sensitive to travelers concerns and should be willing to discuss the steps the are taking to minimize your risk. If not, that would be a red flag for me.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

BigOldArt wrote:

https://eg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covi... (show quote)

Thx so much for the Embassy links! I don’t like the odds of taking this trip.