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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced revised restrictions for international inbound travellers to Pakistan in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 infections across the globe.
In a new travel advisory, the aviation authority said the new restriction will go into effect from August 9. The new standard operating procedures include:
- All inbound passengers aged six years or above will be required to possess a valid negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours.
- All passengers aged six and above will undergo Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival.
- Positive-testing passengers between the ages of six and 12 years will be home quarantined.
- Positive-testing passengers above 12 years of age will be quarantined at a designated facility as per procedure already in vogue.
“Considering the volatile nature of the COVID-19 situation, any or all arriving passengers may also be subjected to additional stipulations as mandated by the relevant health authorities upon arrival in Pakistan,” the advisory added.
Earlier this year, the government had abolished the condition for passengers whose RAT tests returned negative to quarantine in their homes.
In June, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had decided to gradually normalise inbound international air travel, increasing direct flights to 40 percent from the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, Canada, China and Malaysia.
It was announced that from August 1 air travel would not be allowed for those who have not been vaccinated. The revised SOPs come as Pakistan is in the grips of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, with 3,582 cases and 67 deaths reported in the last 24-hour period.
