Travel Advisory – Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

Restricted Travel - CAA Travel Advisory

APP DigitalPakistan prompted by the sharp spike in Covid-19 cases announced to curtail its flight operations by 80 per cent and directed that all arriving passengers would be required to undergo Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival.

The reduction in flights will impact both international and national flights.

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

The 80% Flight restriction is continuing beyond May 20, till announcement by NCOC.

Under the guidelines of the NCOC, the Civil Aviation Authority has allowed permission of walk-in vaccination for those above the age of 18 and who wish to travel abroad for study, work or have dual citizenship.

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has also issued detailed instructions for all incoming passengers and directed all airlines to ensure that these are fully implemented. All incoming passengers after their Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) will self-quarantine at their homes. However, those testing positive will be shifted to self-paid official quarantine facilities by the health staff, deputed at the airports.

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority revised its travel advisory putting a complete travel ban on international travellers from 38 Category C countries.

“The temporary measure is being introduced in continuation to the steps being taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Pakistan,” the letter said.

The Civil Aviation Authority modified the list of the countries placed in Categories A, B, and C for all international passengers, or all those arriving on chartered private aircraft flights, in view of the third wave of the deadly pandemic.

The Authority has extended the travel restrictions for International passengers arriving from Category C countries indefinitely. (As announced on May 22 and valid from May 26, 2021)

Category A countries: (20)

Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.

International travellers from Category A countries can travel to Pakistan and do not require a Covid19 PCR Test to enter the country.

Category B countries:

All those countries not included in either Category A or C, fall in Category B.

Travellers from all these countries require a Covid19 PCR Test before the commencement of travel to enter Pakistan, and it should not be more than 72 hours old, the CAA instructions say.

Category C countries: (38)

01) Argentina, 02) Bangladesh, 03) Bhutan, 04) Bolivia, 05) Brazil, 06) Chile, 07) Colombia, 08) Costa Rica, 09) Croatia, 10) Cuba, 11) Czenchia, 12) Dominican Republic, 13) Ecuador, 14) Ethiopia, 15) India, 16) Indonesia, 17) Iran, 18) Iraq, 19) Kenya, 20) Maldives, 21) Mexico, 22) Mongolia, 23) Namibia, 24) Nepal, 25) Netherlands, 26) Paraguay, 27) Peru, 28) Philippines, 29) Poland, 30) Slovenia, 31) South Africa, 32) Sri Lanka, 33) Thailand, 34) Trinidad and Tobago, 35) Tunisia, 36) Ukraine, 37) Uruguay, 38) Venezuela

“International travel to Pakistan from Category C countries is banned and only subject to exemption by Committee, as per procedure in vogue,” the Travel Advisory says.

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

Meanwhile, international travellers have also made it mandatory for them to submit their details through the Pass Track App. The passengers would be required to submit complete requisite information through the App that can be downloaded from the Apple AppStore and Google Play.

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countriesTravel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries Travel Advisory - Pakistan curtails flight ops by 80%; Cat C list updated to 38 countries

By Shafek Koreshe

A Senior Journalist serving as Director Digital News for the Associated Press of Pakistan; with 30 years experience in covering major national, international news stories, well-traveled; covered summits, conflict zones and special assignments.

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