Border closures and the escape attempts from lockdown

So. So much has happened so very fast.
Two days ago, at night, we finally got a hold of American airlines, trying to modify out flight to leave earlier and not from Buenos Aires as the country went on a lockdown. After (only) an hour and a half on the line, the representative basically said there’s nothing they can do, since they can’t change the departure airport (why? Am not sure). Ended up telling us we should request a refund on this lag once the flight is officially cancelled.

Once this was done, we started looking at alternatives to fly back to Canada from Santiago - and it looked awful. Most flights were north of 1,000$ one way (with American asking for a whopping 4300$. Guess they should win "flag carrier of the captialistic west"). Edit: apparently, American was not alone. Also LATAM and United marked prices between 4,000–9,500$.

Eventually, we found a glitch in a specific Copa flight, allowing us to return for 600$ each, but leaving on March 23 (a week after the time we searched). We quickly booked it so at least we have a way out.

Morning came, we were happy we found something to get us back home, and headed to a full day trip in the mountains.

But, this is how the day turned around:

3.35pm. We first got signal again and learned that Chile is closing its borders to all foreigners. This was something I thought could come but we didn’t realize it will be this fast and this abruptly.

4.40pm. We got back to town, got a local sim card and started checking what’s going on. Turns out the borders are due to close on Wednesday (call to the Israeli embassy clarified it means for incoming traffic and at the moment, so we could leave the country after that without a problem).

4.50pm. We booked a transfer to the nearest airport (Calama, CJC) hoping to get a flight to Santiago ASAP. The ride usually takes an hour and fifteen minutes. Our flight is scheduled for 4 days from now. Hopefully, we would be able to change it up.

5.05pm: As I started going through bunch of messages, an American friend who’s in Tunisia notified me that Canadian borders are about to close. Cue panic, round who-knows-how-many.

5.06pm. Tried to find information on any official government statements but all I got was news outlets: Canada is closing entrance to non-citizens, non-permanent-residents and Americans (why, I would never understand). Me (and OJ) had a problem: our immigration status in Canada is residents with work permits, meaning, we might not qualify.

5.10pm. OJ got a hold of an HR manager at his workplace, who provided valuable info - the border lockdown starts on Wednesday at 00:01. Meaning, we need to get to a border control station beforehand. It was Monday at 5.10pm, and we’re halfway across the world, and two hours away from the main international airport.

5.15pm. So, we tried calling the Canadian embassy to understand if we qualify to get in after the lockdown, but with no luck.

5.38. Our transfer van has arrived and we hurried in.

7.07: Arriving at Calama airport. The person at the counter took our request to change our existing flight due to the circumstances, and said it be done. Phew.

7.17: We were checked in for a flight departing at 19.58 to Santiago, Chile.

I was writing this from the plane, as a way to deal with the stress, and as we approach landing.

Next in line - we need to figure out whether the Wednesday deadline is actually true, find a flight that will arrive beforehand.

I’m posting this after the fact, as I was overwhelmed last night. Expect today’s update soon.