Coronavirus: UAE resident tells of overcoming Covid-19 fears on 30-hour journey home

Sakshi Chandak, 18, shot a video of her long journey from Boston to Dubai via Chicago

A UAE student who has flown home after being stranded abroad for months has urged fellow travellers not to fear about Covid-19 on long journeys back.

Sakshi Chandak, 18, who undertook a 30-hour journey from Boston to Chicago, and then to Dubai, urged fellow expats to stay calm during their trips home.

Thousands of residents were left in limbo when the country closed its borders in March to try to control the spread of coronavirus.

Those stuck overseas are now gradually making their way home after the UAE allowed residents to return from June 1.

Returning residents told The National there were as few as 10 people on repatriation flights run by UAE airlines - but internal transit flights with American carriers were packed full.   

In the US it's much more relaxed and the domestic flight was at full capacity. I was paranoid at the airport

Ms Chandak, a student at Arizona State University in the US, left her dormitory as Covid-19 restrictions forced the institute to temporarily halt classes.

She stayed at a family friend’s home and travelled back to the UAE at the weekend after securing approval.

Ms Chandak said she was nervous about the long journey.

"In the US it's much more relaxed and the domestic flight was at full capacity. I was paranoid at the airport," she said.

"I felt much safer when I landed in Dubai, especially as it was so easy to maintain social distancing."

She said many were not wearing masks and gloves at US airports but social distancing rules were being observed.

Ms Chandak said she was scared of catching the coronavirus and at first planned not to use the washroom at all during her journey.

But she was forced to use the toilet during the 30-hour trip.

"I was really scared when I had to use toilet as one has to touch so many doors and handles," Ms Chandak said.

Sakshi, pictured with her dad Gopal, mum Archana and brother Govind on holiday, was reunited with her family in Dubai. Courtesy: Gopal Chandak

She said officials had placed plastic coverings on toilet seats at US airports.

The student ensured she took precautionary measures against Covid 19 such as carrying her own food for the journey.

She wore a mask and gloves, carried her own sanitiser and maintained social distancing.

Ms Chandak faced a difficult situation when her approval to enter the UAE did not reflect on the system in the US during immigration, causing a two-hour delay.

"My approval did not pop up immediately and I had to wait," she said.

"This meant that I got my boarding pass 25 minutes before the flight departed. We were all starting to worry.

"It's important not to panic and I would advise other students and passengers not feel anxious during the journey.

"Also, maintain social distancing, wear your masks and gloves and sanitise your hands, even if others around you are not doing so.

"Take all the precautions and do your part."

She advised travellers to only keep their laptops and essential travel documents in their carry-on bags because several people struggled with hand luggage restrictions.

They were given bags in which they were allowed to carry only their laptops and travel documents.

Ms Chandak said Dubai International Airport was fairly empty, making it easy to maintain social distance.

She said she did not have to undergo a swab test or have her temperature taken, but had to to fill more forms after which she was allowed to leave the airport.

"I was hoping they would do a swab test as I was paranoid. Authorities were checking temperatures of some people," Ms Chandak said.

She was given the option of being quarantined at home or at a hotel, and chose home.

Ms Chandak said her parents were ecstatic at seeing her and her father came to pick her up while her mother shot a video of her entering the house.

"It feels like a dream. I am so grateful that I am home," she said.

"My best friends who are also UAE residents are stuck in the US and their parents are trying to get approvals to get them back."

For Ms Chandak, the 14-day-quarantine is a time to catch up on reading, work out and eat home-cooked food.

Waitress at Vanitas, Nina Manalo wears a branded mask at the Palazzo Versace hotel, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man shields his face from the sun on a hot day in Al Barsha, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman walks through the disinfection booth at the Palazzo Versace hotel, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The entrance to Vanitas at the Palazzo Versace hotel, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man wearing a face mask walks across an open space of land in Al Barsha, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Duncan Gichana & Luliia Sliusar at the Mosaico lobby lounge in the Palazzo Versace hotel, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man sits by Dubai Creek on Baniyas road in Deira. Reem Mohammed / The National

A man walking in Al Sabkha in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

A man wearing a face mask in Al Sabkha, Dubai. Reem Mohammed/The National

Information desk at the new Covid-19 prime assessment centre in ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National