COVID-19: Saudi govt lifts travel restrictions for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri has said that Saudi Arabia has announced to lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for Pakistan on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the foreign office spokesperson, the passengers traveling from Pakistan to the kingdom on iqama and visit visa will be exempted from the travel restrictions.

“The passengers, however, had to undergo a PCR test within 48 hours after arriving in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia has lifted the ban on international flights coming from Pakistan after success in controlling the COVID-19  outbreak.

The In a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the Arabia government has banned all flights coming from India, Brazil, and Argentine over their failure to control the COVID-19 outbreak said NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the government.

“We cannot risk the lives of our citizens by allowing flights from India, Brazil, and Argentine”, the NOTAM read. Meanwhile, the Kingdom has lifted travel restrictions from Pakistan after it managed to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Earlier, a PIA spokesman said that Saudi Aviation had allowed PIA 13 flights. Implementation of the coronavirus SOPS during flights will be ensured. The requirement of 67 percent social distance had been maintained on all PIA flights.

PIA had requested the Saudi government to extend the stay of the holder from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. The stay expires on 30th September, due to the increasing rush of bankers.

A PIA spokesman said that the management of the national airline was in constant touch with the Saudi authorities in this regard. The kingdom also announced to resume its visa services from its consulate in Karachi from September 28.

A handout issued from the consulate said that after resumption in services, they would start issuing regular work visas, iqamas, and re-entry visas.