2 comments so far.Where can I call to speak to someone on travel to the Far East?
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Covid helpline 111 – This line is great for getting a jab appointment or a swab test, but when I pressed 3 as indicated for help with travelling the nice voice just gave me a website to go to.
First of all she was too fast for me to remember the site and secondly I spent hours already surfing all Malta health sites related to travel to no avail.
I need to go and volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam but I do not know if it is open for me a fully vaccinated and certified person? I need to hear a human voice who will tell me, “Hold on let me check for you, hold the line” Then she will give me a clear answer of yes or no. If it is a no answer then I will ask her what about if I volunteer in Peru instead?
I need to go out or I am going to go not crazy but crazier! Where can I call and have a voice to voice (as in face to face – maybe I invented a new phrase, voice to voice) call?
Thank you.
Anthony Zammit,
Gozo
Anthony,
You may have more joy if you ferret around the internet. I have just finished a work assignment in the western Pacific (one of many over 40 years) and was recently flying through the Far East to get back to Malta. That was in March, and it wasn’t easy.
Notwithstanding whatever the Maltese authorities can give you, particularly for your return to the island, most countries still have strict entry regulations, including Vietnam.
In my experience your local employer would have to help with quarantine and visas. And if they can’t provide that information. I would keep away from the place! These days, I doubt if you can do much speculative searching for work by traveling in as a tourist. Your best bet would be to have a firm offer; then the hard work will be done by your employer.
For general travel and entry info, a good start would be the UK government’s foreign travel advice webpage, which is accessible to anybody. It quickly shows that Vietnam and its provinces have very strict regulations for entry. Do remember though, the information that the UK is giving out may be directly related to UK citizens traveling, not Maltese. But there is plenty of general stuff there.
Other sources to check would be the web site of the airport you’re going to (and transitting through eg Frankfurt, Doha, Singapore). They normally give up-to-date information regarding entry and transit procedures.
Also, the bigger airlines like Qatar Airways, keep their travel information up-to-date as well, although sometimes it is a little difficult teasing it out from their websites. If you haven’t done your homework properly, and have not got your paperwork in order, the airlines will not let you board. Be careful too. Travel information changes daily in this Covid age, so check, check, and check again.
Finally, local embassies or High Commissions in Malta can be approached, particularly for clarifying transit information.
Best of luck.
If you post a comment, I should pick it up.
Neil
Sound and comprehensive advice Neil, good guidlines for any long haul trip in challenging times. You have to collect as much information from as many reliable sources as possible and when you think you have the answer , somehow confirm it.
Not for the faint hearted. Detailed planning with a plan B and C ready!