Thread by @RGAMeyer

My mother travelled to Canada to see her Yorobo* grandchildren.

She is a frequent traveller but COVID has really meant things are hectic. I have been tracking her since yesterday.
Some tips, in case it helps others with older parents travelling alone.
*Yorobo = Yoruba+Urhobo

1. Pay/request for wheelchair access, whether they claim they are fit or say “I am not handicapped in Jesus’ name.”
2. Also lounges and concierge services, if you can.
This will really help them on the long flight and reduce their stress and chances of landing and being sick

3. We have a routine for Mum before she travels. Days before it is lots of water and sleep all day until long flights.
4. Write all phone numbers and addresses repeatedly and put in every pocket and handbag.
5. Asides copies in hand, scan all docs to their “Wozzup.”

6. Let them have some forex in hand - petty cash in small notes on dollars or the local currency is good.
7. Load their local Nigerian SIM cards with airtime and enable roaming: in the event they cannot log in to airport wifi, you can call them direct at destination or stopovers

8. Be prepared for your parents to frantically call you too. Canada asks for proof of family relationship - so mum had to show scans of her daughter’s marriage/passport data page. All these things we scanned to wozzup had to be rescanned to chat because Momma was frazzled. 😂

9. When they get to Canada they have to do a COVID test. If your parent is not internet savvy or like mine, was just too tired to give a damn - you may have to be on standby to create an account for them on portal.switchhealth.ca
Without that account they cannot do the test o

10. Things you need to register are a Canadian mobile phone number and address and an email as well where they send codes. You register your parent’s passport&flight numbers, DoB, full name etc so have all this information on hand please. Next, they do the test.

11. Once that is done then the parent heads to the designated quarantine hotel you have booked. They have to do a test in ten days at home.
So, there you have it.
Please be patient with your parent if they are travelling alone and try to provide them support and encouragement. ❤️

Note that the portal.switchhealth.ca registration can only be done at border entry. You cannot do it before you travel. So, that means if your parent is not Internet savvy, you have to be on standby to call in, or you gauge the time & once you’re sure they have landed, you do it