Fresh SOPs issued for travellers from UK, SA

PM’s aide lauds govt’s efforts for stemming virus spread during second wave

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has chalked out fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for international travellers returning from the UK and South Africa.

Pakistan had placed travel restrictions on air travellers from the UK after the discovery of a new mutated strain of coronavirus spreading rapidly across South East England.

According to the authority, travel restrictions for passengers flying out of the UK and South Africa have been extended till January 31.

However, in view of the difficulties facing the people, the authority gave conditional permission to Pakistanis in the two countries to return home.

As per the guidelines, travelers will be allowed to return to the home country from January 5 on the condition that they would be required to provide negative RT-PCR test ahead of their flight.

Pakistani expats with dual citizenship, short-term resident visa holders and people with work permits for the UK and South Africa as well as NICOP and POC card holders will also be able to benefit from the relaxed rules.

The guidelines further state that a negative test is mandatory for passengers coming from the UK before travelling to Pakistan while a second test will be done upon arrival.

On the other side, diplomats from the UK and Africa and their families have been given special permission to travel to Pakistan.

As per the guidelines, diplomats and their families must get themselves tested for coronavirus 72 hours ahead of their flight while they will also be re-tested on arrival in Pakistan.

The diplomats will have to be quarantined as per the instructions given by the health department.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is witnessing decline in coronavirus cases during second wave due to the government’s measures to contain the spread of virus particularly timely closure of educational institutions across the country, said PM’s aide on health services Dr Faisal Sultan.

In a media briefing on Monday, he said that strict restrictions and implementation on standard operation procedures (SOPs) helped authorities stem spread of Covid-19.

The government made all-out efforts to protect citizens from virus like imposing ban on public gatherings, marriages halls and dine-in services in restaurants which lowered the number of infections, the special assistance added.

He also praised the country’s nerve centre, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), saying it was doing efficient work against the disease.

Dr Faisal said the main objective of government’s anti-corona strategy was to check the spread of virus and keep the economic activities running.

He said that all relevant federal, provincial, public and private institutions are playing remarkable role under the NCOC against the disease.

He also acknowledged the role of frontline health workers including doctors and nurses.

The PM's aide said that all possible measures will be adopted to control Covid-19 to avoid health care system from becoming overwhelmed.

He said that strategies are being formulated to control virus keeping in view the global information and analysing data in scientific way. "All decisions regarding coronavirus are being made with the consultation of all stakeholder."

He advised the citizens to continue following the social distancing, use of mask and other precautionary measures to stop increasing local transmission of Covid-19 in the country. (With additional input from APP)