Travel Ban Update: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Canada restrict flights from Pakistan

Saudi Arabia, Oman, Canada have restricted flights from Pakistan amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has restricted arrivals from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The authorities have given 72-hours to Saudi nationals and iqama-holders to return to the kingdom, after that, no passenger will be allowed to enter the country.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior had banned flights from the following 20 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK, and the US.

As announced earlier the Saudi Arabia’s ban on international flights from 20 countries will stay, including the UAE, India, and Pakistan, even after May 17, when the kingdom will resume international flights.

Canada

Canada has suspended all passenger flights from Pakistan and India from Thursday for 30 days, citing increased COVID-19 cases detected in travellers arriving from these countries.

Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra announced that “Given the higher number of cases of COVID-19 detected in air passengers arriving in Canada from India and Pakistan… I am suspending all commercial and private passenger flights arriving in Canada from Indian and Pakistan for 30 days.”

“This is a temporary measure, while we assess the evolving situation and determine appropriate measures going forward,” he added.

Oman

After Canada, Oman has also suspended travel from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as these countries have reported a massive surge in coronavirus over the past couple of weeks. 

The decision was taken by Oman’s supreme committee for coronavirus. 

“The ban begins at 6 pm on Saturday, 24 April 2021, and continues till further notice. This is with the exception of arriving passengers who are Omani citizens, diplomats, health workers, and their families. The exempted groups will undergo the prescribed entry procedures when they reach the Sultanate’s land,” read the press release issued by the committee.