ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday announced temporary restriction on inbound travellers from the UK - whether direct or indirect - into the country effective from midnight December 22 (i.e. 00:00 hours 23rd December, 2020) until midnight 29th December, 2020 to limit the new coronavirus strain's spread in Pakistan. The decision was taken in a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday following the United Kingdom reported the detection of a new strain of SARS-COV-2 (VUI-202012/01) that is more transmissible than other previously known strains.
According to a circular issued by the Aviation Division, the temporary restriction is being put in place on inbound travelers from the UK (whether direct or indirect) into Pakistan to be effective from midnight 22nd December (i.e. 00:00 hours 23rd December, 2020) until midnight 29th December, 2020; this restriction will be applicable to all persons who originate travel from the UK and are in or have been in the UK over the past 10 days.
It stated that transit passengers, who do not leave airside in the UK, from destinations other than the UK will be allowed to travel into Pakistan, and that Pakistani passport holders who have travelled to the UK on visitor/temporary visas will be allowed to return to Pakistan with following arrangements: (a) Negative PCR test, performed within 72 hours prior to flight will be required, (b) PCR test on arrival in Pakistan under arrangement Directorate of Central Health Establishment (CHE)/Federating units health staff. Passenger will be required to stay in the airport or in government facility until the PCR test is taken, (c) Mandatory enforced home quarantine for seven days, (d) Trace and test all passengers arrived from the UK over the past seven days as per TTQ protocol including passengers arriving on 21st and 22nd December, 2020.
It further stated that Pass Track App was made mandatory for all travellers arriving in Pakistan with effect from midnight 22nd December. Passengers who do not have Pass Track App will need to fill out the web form of the Pass Track App.
The CAA was also asked to issue necessary guidelines to all airlines for implementation of the abovementioned decisions. It further stated that the NCOC will review the abovementioned decisions on 28th December, 2020, and any change will be communicated to the CAA for further necessary instructions.
The Ministry of Heath in its statement stated that the United Kingdom has reported the detection of a new strain of SARS-COV-2 (VUI-202012/01) that is more transmissible than other previously known strains.
In light of this news, the NCOC has decided upon an immediate response to limit the strain's spread in Pakistan. The United Kingdom launched a new virological investigation, once authorities reported a rapid increase in the Covid-19 cases in South East England.
The in-depth analysis concluded that the sharp rise in cases is likely due to a new, mutated strain of the virus currently named "VUI-202012/01".
Preliminary analysis suggests that this particular strain is approximately 70 percent more transmissible.
However, so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the infection caused by this strain is any more severe. Many countries have already either completely banned or imposed additional restrictions on flights and travellers coming from the UK.
In order to prevent the spread of this particular strain of the SARS-COV-2 in Pakistan, the NCOC has decided to take the following measures regarding travel from the UK with immediate effect:
Trace and test all passengers who have arrived from the UK over the past seven days as per TTQ protocols, including passengers arriving on the 21st and 22nd of December 2020.
Passengers who have arrived from the UK over the past seven days are requested to quarantine until their test results have come back.
Several countries, including India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Poland, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Morocco are among the countries that have already suspended the flight operation to and from the UK, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers.
The more-infectious and "out of control" coronavirus variant has triggered concerns among health professionals, and also feared of a rapid spread, if timely decisions with regard to travel ban from the UK were not taken.
According to aviation sources, two flights from the UK arrived at Islamabad International Airport on Monday, including British Airways flight BA261 at 7:02am from London and Virgin Atlantic Airways flight VS362 from Manchester at 1:45pm.
Additionally, two more flights one by the British Airways and another by the Virgin Atlantic Airways were expected to arrive from London today (Tuesday) at the Islamabad International Airport.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) told Business Recorder that the flights of the national flag carrier has been suspended until further orders for Saudi Arabia following the Kingdom announced strict Covid-19-related restrictions in the wake of a new strain of the coronavirus identified in the UK.
The PIA flights, including PK-9739 and PK-9760 from Multan and Lahore to Jeddah have been cancelled. Those on routes Lahore-Jeddah-Lahore, Islamabad-Dammam-Islamabad, Lahore-Dammam-Lahore, and Karachi-Medina-Karachi have also been cancelled.
He said flights from Lahore to Medina, Medina to Karachi, Madina to Multan, and Karachi-Jeddah-Karachi are also suspended.
"These flights would remain cancelled till Saudi Arabia opens their airspace for international flights," the spokesperson said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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