Flew from JFK - Manila this weekend. This was our experience from takeoff, to landing, to quarantine.

JFK was eerily quiet. I think our flight was the only one taking off from this terminal. Other passengers, unaware of their cancelled flights, were being turned away.

(Thread)

Inside the departures area, shops were closed, or boarded up.

The airport screens had CDC guidelines, reminders for passengers, and videos like this one.

Inside our plane, flight attendants were in their PPE.

Our masks were on for the duration of the flight, and were only taken off for meals. We were advised that in flight service would be kept to a minimum.

We've finally landed! Someone from the DOH came in to collect our health cards, which we had filled out along with several documents including an affidavit of undertaking, a red cross doc, a doc for the Dept. of Health, a doc for the IATF, arrival card, customs.

Upon deplaning, this was the scene outside of the plane door.

The Philippine Coast Guard ushered us into a briefing area in the departures area of NAIA Terminal 2. The departures area has been turned into a COVID-19 testing site for arrivals.

Here's our flight, waiting to be briefed and tested. Before flying we made sure we had our Red Cross QR code for testing: https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/ 

It can be filled out three days prior to arrival. Those who didn't have email ads and QR codes were assisted through a help desk.

About three hours later I'm finally closer to my COVID-19 testing. Here, the coast guard checks my documents. I am given six barcode stickers, and one of them goes into my passport.

Here's the testing booth, where I get swabbed from both nostrils and through my mouth. Results can take up to five days, and while waiting for results we need to go into quarantine.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Non OFWs are separated for release into quarantine facilities, which are designated hotels. We pre booked ours and lined up. Those without bookings go to a different line. Non OFWs shoulder their own quarantine costs.

Finally we are out of the airport! Private vehicles aren't allowed for pickup - we arranged our transport through the quarantine hotel.

I made it to the quarantine hotel! Between landing and hotel arrival took about five hours.

Back in the hotel a doctor waits for us - we decided to get a private test so we can get our results faster. If we test negative, we can spend the rest of our quarantine period at home.

That was a long journey, but damn it feels so good to be back in the Philippines.