Pakistan extends restrictions on inbound flights as COVID-19 cases surge
Pakistan has extended the restrictions on inbound flights as COVID-19 cases surge.
In the last 24 hours, Pakistan has reported 2,338 new positive coronavirus cases and 46 deaths.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) made the announcement on Saturday, saying that the restrictions will remain in place till March 18. 
The CAA had notified a new travel advisory for inbound flights, private, and chartered planes on March 3.
According to the notification, the CAA reduced the countries in Category A from 24 to 15, while the ban on passengers from countries in Category C remained intact.
As per the notification, Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are among the 21 countries included in Category A.
Meanwhile, Botswana, Brazil, Columbia, Ghana, Ireland, United Kingdom, Zambia, and The Netherlands are among the 15 countries included in Category C.
Furthermore, the passengers from countries included in Category A do not require a COVID-19 PCR test before landing in Pakistan.
The passengers from countries included in Category A do not require a COVID-19 PCR test before landing in Pakistan.
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Earlier in the day, The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has expressed its concern over an increase in coronavirus cases during a meeting.
Minister for Planning Asad Umar presided over the meeting. The meeting observed that the ratio of positive cases has increased to 5-6 percent.
It said that increased cases are being reported from Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu, and Kashmir.
