Pakistan bans flights from UK in wake of new coronavirus strain #COVID20

Pakistan has banned UK arrivals amid concerns at the spread of a new variant of coronavirus being termed as COVID-20. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been requested to issue necessary guidelines to all airlines for implementation of the decision. 

The official notification in this regard has been issued citing the ban will be effective from midnight 22nd December until midnight 29th of the month.

According to a notification issued by the Government of Pakistan Cabinet Secretariat (Aviation Division), the development was made in the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) meeting.

According to the notification, a temporary restriction is being placed on inbound travelers from UK (whether direct or indirect) into Pakistan.

These restrictions will be applicable to all persons who originate travel from the UK are in or have been in the UK over the past 10 days.

Meanwhile, Transit passengers, who have travelled to the UK, from destinations other than the UK will be allowed to travel into Pakistan, further in the notification.

NCOC will review the aforementioned decision on December 28 and any changes will be communicated to CAA for further necessary instructions, the notification concluded.

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:

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

• PCR Test on arrival in Pakistan under arrangement Directorate of
  Central Health Establishment (CHE)/

• Federating units health staff. Passengers will be required to stay in the airport on in a government facility until PCR test is taken.

• Mandatory enforced quarantine at home for seven days.

• Traced and test all passengers who arrived from the UK over the past seven days as per TTQ protocol including passengers arriving on 21st December and 22nd December.