COVID-19 tales: ‘Entering flight felt like being in an ICU’

Neha Sharma was staying at a women’s hostel in Navy Nagar, which was vacated by authorities at the beginning of lockdown

Took First Flight Out Of Mumbai On May 25, 2020

Neha Sharma, 30, Bengaluru
Content manager for Karnataka Tourism

As soon as the lockdown started, tiring times began. The girls' hostel in Navy Nagar, where I had been staying, had asked everyone to go home a week earlier. So, the students had left. The working women were asked to stay, but then flights were halted. Many went to their local guardians, but I lived in the Army mess for a week, and then the Navy House for three months, all alone.

I would pray every day for flights to resume, as I was feeling helpless. I was in two minds about taking the first flight, and my parents were worried too, but I wanted to be home. I then booked myself on the first Indigo flight on May 25.

I arrived at an empty airport with gloves, mask, shield, PPE kit and sanitiser with me. But, the airlines provided all that as well. It was the first day, so there was a proper six-feet distance, and there were no restaurants open as well. There was pin-drop silence at the airport.

Entering the flight was like entering an ICU, as it was the first time we saw a pilot and cabin crew dressed in PPEs. Everybody on the flight looked scared, and no one was even making eye contact. The pilot made a lovely announcement about tough times and how we should all feel safe as the airlines had taken every precaution they could. He made us all feel at ease.

As I reached Delhi, where rules were a bit more relaxed than Mumbai airport, I heaved a sigh of relief. I was asked to home quarantine for two weeks, and I didn't even hug my parents when I reached home. But, I made it home in time for my birthday, and that was a gift from God indeed.