Mutant virus: Pakistan joins global move to ban flights from UK

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has banned flights from the United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 detected in England, which is ‘more transmissible than other previously known strains’.

India, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Jordan and other countries suspended travel for Britons after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that a mutated variant of the virus, up to 70 percent more transmissible, had been identified in the country.

According to a notification issued by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a temporary restriction is being placed on inbound travelers from UK (whether direct or indirect) into Pakistan to be effective from midnight 22nd December until midnight 29th of the month.

These restrictions will be applicable to all persons who originate travel from UK are in or have been in UK over the past 10 days. Meanwhile, Transit passengers, who have travelled to UK, from destinations other than UK will be allowed to travel into Pakistan.

The statement further said that preliminary analysis of new COVID strain suggests that this particular mutation is approximately 70 percent more transmissible. “However, so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the infection caused by this strain is any more severe,” it added.

National passport holders, who have travelled to the UK as a visitor or on temporary visas will be allowed to return home only after the following arrangements:

1. Negative PCR test, performed within 72 hours prior to their departure will be required.

2. PCR Test on arrival in Pakistan under arrangement Directorate of Central Health Establishment (CHE)/Federating units health staff.

3. Passengers will be required to stay in the airport in government facility until PCR test is taken.

4. Mandatory enforced quarantine at home for seven days.

The discovery of the new strain, just months before vaccines are expected to be widely available, sowed fresh panic in a pandemic. On Sunday, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock added to the alarm when he said “the new variant is out of control.”