For much of March, the COVID-19 conversation dominating expat circles centered around those who were returning to Beijing after being stuck abroad, and the obligatory 14-day hotel quarantine they had to undergo. While some folks were able to petition for home quarantines, thousands of Chinese nationals and foreigners were sequestered in state-sponsored accommodation to ensure that they wouldn’t reignite the spread of the virus.
Although experiences varied wildly, for those returnees with kids in tow, the whole situation was particularly fraught with uncertainty, as was the case for Michelle Hemsin.
Originally from Thailand, Hemsin has been living in Beijing for the last 20 years, and currently operates Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat and Bodhi Sense. She returned to the Capital on April 9 with her two kids, aged 11 and 8, however, their quarantine took an unexpected turn when the family was separated in a hospital for two days.
To find out more, we spoke with Hemsin about their experience, the challenges they faced, and what delights awaited them on the other side.
Where did you guys fly back from and what prompted your family to return to Beijing?
We flew in from Bangkok. Bangkok was under confinement and social distancing. I knew that China was safe and if we were going to be in confinement for who knows how long, we may as well do the 14-day quarantine in China and be ”free”. Also, after nine weeks away, fleeing the coronavirus, I was keen to come home.
When our flight diverted to Zhengzhou, we were taken to the Henan People’s Hospital from the airport for two days of testing before being cleared and continuing the rest of our quarantine at the Novotel.
What was an average day like for your family?
We would spend half the day doing homework (it was a welcome task to fill in our day during quarantine). The rest of the time we watched National Geographic, HBO, played games on our phone, and I followed some zoom workouts. The meals divided up our days.
Is it better or worse than what you had expected?
It was better than expected because the room was nice, clean and brand new. The hotel was supposed to open in January 2020, but the Coronavirus hit so we were their first customers! The food was surprisingly good too. Their Western restaurant catered to us foreigners. We had pasta, pizza, chicken wings, sausages, boiled eggs, cream of mushroom/corn/pumpkin soup.
The staff at the hotel were also amicable, politely delivering our meals and trying to meet our request for additional items like pillows or borrowing the vacuum cleaner to do our own housekeeping. At the end of the quarantine, when we left for the airport, all the hotel staff, onsite doctors and all the other staff gathered to wave us goodbye. Once at the airport, we were escorted to the check-in counter, then escorted pass customs to the lounge and again from the lounge to the plane. It was either extremely good service or they didn’t want us to wander on our own.
What was the most difficult, or challenging thing for you and your family during quarantine?
The most difficult thing was to be separated from my two children, 11 and 8 years old, while in hospital. Luckily, both of them were allowed to share a room and although I couldn’t see them, we could talk to each other through the wall and video-call each other as my son had a working phone. The nurses were really nice and we speak Chinese so it went as smoothly as it could have. The most difficult part for my children was having two blood tests taken on the same day, and it was their first time.
What were you most looking forward to after leaving the hotel?
What we looked forward to the most, for me, was a stroll in our blooming garden and fresh air. For my children, it was to sleep in their own bed.
Were there any unexpected lessons you learned during this time?
The unexpected for us was to be taken to the hospital for two days. But we were well-treated, and it has made my children more resilient.
For families in a similar situation, do you have any hacks to make quarantine fun?
I had packed lots of snacks prior to the quarantine so that was a plus.
Photos: Courtesy of Michelle Hemsin
