Dad K died, Is it possible to travel overseas?

 12 May - Thoughts to travel to America for Dad K's Memorial Service

Dad Kennedy died on Easter Sunday (Australia time) 2022 in Casa Grande, Arizona, USA at home with his wife Anita and children Richie and Ana, and some of their families.

It seemed impossible that Monte and I would be able to travel from Tasmania to Arizona for the Memorial Service and family gathering.  We are in the midst of the COVID pandemic and after two years of Australia, particularly Tasmania, trying to remain safe from the virus, the government gave up, opened borders and allowed people to take their chances while providing vaccinations and health advice.

Following an Australian family gathering of Monte and Kathy’s sons on 2 May 2022, it was decided to fully investigate regulations and costs to go for the Memorial Service.

We had last been to the States in 2017 at the sudden request of Mom Mumford’s doctors.  We visited Dad Kennedy at the time and other family, too.  Mom Mumford perked up with our arrival but was required to move into aged care.  We helped Marshal and Kitty with that move.

We tried returning in late 2019 but were prevented due to various family pressures and activities. We then booked flights for Easter 2020, but Covid struct and borders were closed. The Premier in Tasmania announced, ‘We have a moot and we will use it!’  Mom (Kaye) Mumford  died in April 2020 the day after Marshall and Kitty were allowed into hospice to visit her after 5 weeks of COVID lockdown and isolation.

For two years, there was virtually no travelling interstate or internationally for Australians.  Thousands of Australians were stranded overseas.  People were ‘lock downed’ in their homes and limited to essential travel to obtain food and medical care.  Schools were switched to on-line and parents became teachers or learning monitors. There was limited exercise periods to walk or jog. Masks were worn when ever in stores and close contacts were limited within stores and offices.  Vaccines were trialled and then administered.  As the number of vaccinations rose, governments looked to lessen the close contact, mask wearing and travelling rules.

In mid-December 2021, Tasmania lifted its border rules and Myles and family were able to visit for Monte and Kathy’s 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Christmas was planned for all the Australian Mumfords to gather again in January 2022, in Strahan Tasmania.

We wondered when we would be able to travel overseas again to visit family and friends.  There were vaccination restrictions and needed documentation.  Rules were different in every country. - going and coming, citizen and non-citizen, dual citizen  Infection, sickness and death was high.  Covid variants changed the rules regularly.  Many people were tired of the rules and ignored them increasing the spread of infection. 

So following the family meeting in early May and notice that Dad's Memorial Service was scheduled for 10-11 June, Monte searched the internet for flights while Kathy looked for travel rules and regulations.  We contacted family and friends to explore the possibility.