[ad_1]
By Clinton Moodley 
18h ago
It has not been an easy road for South Africans stranded in Thailand. What started as an exotic vacation turned into a nightmare when travel bans were implemented in South Africa and in many other countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of those who were unable to pay for hotel accommodation after facing financial difficulties made the streets and the airport their home.
Just as most began to lose hope, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), with the assistance of the South African Embassy in Thailand, organized the return flight to South Africa, which landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday at night.
About 240 South Africans arrived home on a South African Airways flight on Friday. Image: supplied.
One of the South Africans, Mario Boffa, felt that a weight was lifted from his shoulders since he returned to the country.
“There were a couple of attempts to organize a repatriation flight, but it was not an easy path,” said Boffa, who is currently quarantined at a Johannesburg hotel.
He said that South Africans had to register for the flight. He applauded the South African Embassy for doing all the paperwork and for their hard work behind the scenes to ensure the flight took off.
They also arranged for South Africans from other parts of Thailand to travel to Bangkok to catch the flight.
Boffa said: “It is the most amazing feeling in the world to land in South Africa. Being greeted by the immigration staff, the cabin crew, the police and everyone at the hotel is an indescribable feeling. We were welcomed with open arms. We were We felt loved, cared for and safe. They sang songs, smiled at us and made us feel at home. “
He praised the government for its quick response: “We will forever be grateful for how they have served their country during this pandemic.”
Lee-Ann Machelm takes a selfie on the plane back to South Africa. Image: supplied.
Lee-Ann Machelm visited Thailand for a vacation with her husband and friends in March.
She traveled a 20-hour bus ride from Phuket to Bangkok to make the repatriation flight. They were unable to fly as Phuket was locked until May 15.
“I am emotionally overwhelmed and grateful to Jesus for bringing us home safely. It feels good to be back home. The 10-hour flight continued without failure, except for a slight delay. The hostesses were incredible, ”he said.
Machelm revealed the process once they landed in South Africa. They needed to fill out medical forms and had their temperature checked while they were on the plane.
“Only 20 passengers disembark at a time. We needed to maintain a social distance of one meter, and this took some time. We collected our luggage on the airport runway, before being transferred to our quarantine facilities by a police convoy. There were around 25 vans since only 10 passengers allow us to enter the van, ”Machelm explained.
Once at the hotel, travelers had to walk through a disinfection tunnel, one of the precautions taken by the quarantine facility. After registering, the guests were informed of the rules and regulations to be followed.
“Once the medical team tests us, we will be informed when we can leave. We will know in nine days. I can’t wait to be reunited with my children and my family, ”he said.
The Steyl family smiles as they leave Thailand for South Africa. Image: supplied.
Cape Town resident Chantal Steyl planned a perfect vacation to surprise her husband and daughter for their birthdays in March. Steyl describes being back in South Africa as “incredible”.
“The facilities here are very good, and they are taking care of us,” he said.
[ad_2]
