Rapid PCR test facility to be available at Karachi airport in two days: CAA

Counters for UAE-accredited labs to work 24 hours at Jinnah International Airport, says the authority

KARACHI:

In view of difficulties being faced by UAE-bound passengers, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Wednesday that the counters for conducting rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19 will become functional within two days.

It said that the services of Pakistani labs accredited by the UAE authorities would be available at the Jinnah International Airport four hours before the departure of passengers going abroad, adding that the fee of the test would have to be paid by the travellers.

The airport administration said that the counters are being set up at the domestic lounge due to the non-availability of space at international lounge. It further said that the counters would continue to work 24 hours a day.

Read more: CAA urges govt to take up issue of rapid PCR tests with UAE

"The CAA is finalising all possible measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic," the authority further stated in a statement.

In view of difficulties being faced by UAE-bound passengers, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that the counters for conducting rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19 will become functional at local airports within two days#etribune pic.twitter.com/pEV80qOTIG

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 11, 2021

The decision comes after hundreds of passengers were barred from travelling to Dubai for not having rapid PCR test, which is required to be conducted within four hours before the departure of flight.

However, it contradicts the authority's earlier stance that the country did not have resources to conduct rapid PCR tests and only rapid antigen testing was currently being used as a method of testing passengers for Covid-19 at the airports.

Also read: CAA to establish rapid PCR test facilities at airports to facilitate Dubai travellers

In a letter written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday, the authority stated that the rapid PCR testing facility cannot be provided to departing passengers for Dubai as it was currently unavailable in Pakistan.

It urged the MoFA officials to take up the matter with relevant authorities in the UAE on priority basis so that they can reconsider their policy.

On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates again revised its travel rules for its residents living in Pakistan and five other countries and exempted them from carrying the Covid-19 vaccination certificate while flying into Dubai.

According to the travel advisory issued by national flag carrier, Emirates, passengers from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, having a valid UAE residence visa will be permitted to travel to and through Dubai. However, the passengers from these states will be required to seek pre-entry approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Read more: UAE eases travel rules for Pakistan, 5 other nations

The travellers will also be required to have a valid Covid-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.

Only Covid-19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.

Travellers will also need to undergo a Covid-19 PCR rapid test four hours before the departure of their flight, which will be once again carried out upon their arrival in Dubai. It was further said that Rapid Antigen Test will not be accepted.

The advisory maintained that UAE nationals were exempted from the new travel advisory, but would have to undertake a Covid‑19 PCR test upon their arrival in Dubai.