Submission of health declaration form made mandatory for passengers entering Pakistan

Passengers will be provided with the health declaration form by the relevant airline staff

RAWALPINDI: The Ministry of Health on Saturday made submission of health declaration forms mandatory for all travellers entering the country as a precautionary measure in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Passengers would now be provided with the health declaration form by the relevant airline staff. The filled form will then be submitted to health officials deployed at airports across the country.

If the form is not submitted, immigration officials will bar the entry of the passenger. The form will reportedly include relevant details of the passenger along with a brief travel and health history.



The World Health Organisation had declared a global emergency over the new coronavirus which has claimed 259 lives and infected more than 10,000 people.

Almost 500 Pakistanis are studying in various universities of Wuhan, which is in virtual lockdown, while the total number of Pakistani nationals in China is between 28,000 and 30,000 – most of them are students.

Earlier on Friday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi assured his Pakistani counterpart that the stranded Pakistani students in coronavirus-hit China are being treated “like our own”.



The Chinese government is doing everything to ensure the safety, health and well-being of Pakistani students, he said in a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Qureshi thanked the Chinese authorities for extending full support and assistance to the Pakistani students in Wuhan and hoped that Beijing will continue to take best possible measures for the protection of Pakistani nationals in China, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement.