Ulog #86 | Self quarantine - Day #3

Seems like quarantine is the 2nd most spoken topic next to Covid-19, though both are related to one another. I returned back to Vietnam on 17th March 2020; touch down at 19.30 hours. On this one day, so many things happened between two countries.

17th Mar 2020

Malaysia
The lock down begins from 00 hours 18th Mar. No Malaysian are allowed to leave. And yet, those Malaysians returning home from abroad would have to be on self quarantine for 14 days. As for foreigners, none is allowed to enter Malaysia for the next two weeks.

Vietnam
Any ASEAN nationality personnels entering Vietnam would be quarantine at the centre for a period of 14 days and this would take effect for the next 30 days. No exception given. Two days later, on 19th Mar, Vietnam Airlines announced it will stop its carriers to & from any ASEAN country from 21st Mar till 30th Apr (inclusive).

Fear is everywhere and because of the availability of social media, it seems to be heightened up very fast. I had the fear of not being able to leave Malaysia on Tuesday night and fearing that I would not be able to enter Vietnam. Especially with the increase in the number of confirmed cases back home. It seemed very likely that Vietnam Govt would start to ban all Malaysians from entering the country if the count goes any higher. Then again, with the 14-days quarantine, would anyone want to travel.

Unfortunately, not many are as fortunate as I am, being able to return back to my work destination in time. Bearing in mind, I was carrying back with me plenty of food provisions i.e. canned food, instant noodles, biscuits & dried processed food. Some I could never find in Vietnam. It was a good idea that I did that as the following day, when I went back to work in the office, my fellow colleagues were indeed afraid to see me. They had started to text me since Monday night asking me about my arrival back to Vietnam. I don't blame them as if I were them, I would also be concerned for my safety. They even advised me to work from home for the safety of everyone.

Now, this wasn't something I could approve for myself, so I had to ask my immediate head. After all, she too had just returned from Malaysia two days ago. Sign !! It was a unfortunate decision to make, but advised by Human Resources, she made the call to have me work from home, that included herself and another fellow colleague as well. And so, on 18th Mar, I began my journey of self-quarantine at home. By means of self-quarantine, I'm not supposed to leave my apartment. But, if I have no fresh meat, vegetables & fruits, how am I supposed to live for the next 14 days.

I did went out early yesterday morning to the local market to get fresh provisions, of course, I made sure I wore mask all the time and limited my conversations and human contact with others. Buying what I could carry, I immediately went back home and began my work obediently. Today, I just heard news that those returning back this week are required to be self-quarantine and this is instructed by the Local Medical Centre & Police. Though, many of this local authority works very independently according to their province so what one practices may defer from another.

I do need to go the local market tomorrow if not the following day to stock up more fresh meat, vegetables & fruits. There's only so much canned food I can eat plus being at home, I tend to eat more frequently though in small portions. Just need to take extra precautions when I go out; for the safety of others and myself. If anyone tells you that self-quarantine is fun, there's two-sides of the story. Good news is that you don't need to dress up and fuss over getting to office. But, having to stay indoors 24/7 can be overwhelming. Thankfully, it's just me alone in the apartment so it's not that bad; imagine those with large families, how do they handle everyone in that small home everyday...

If you're like me, under self-quarantine, do share how you spend your time ?
I could use some advise.

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