CAA extends travel curbs on C-category countries

Passengers still seeking to arrive in the country required to apply for a special permit

ISLAMABAD:

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has extended restrictions on inbound flights till October 31, continuing the ban on several countries placed in the category C.

A fresh notification issued by the CCA on Friday said that the passengers from countries not specified in the category C till October 31 will be required to carry a valid negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to commencement of their travel.

All passengers arriving in the country will be subjected to testing and quarantine stipulations as per the current procedure. However, the ban on inbound travel for all other passengers from the category C countries will continue.

Passengers from the banned countries who are still seeking to travel to Pakistan will have to apply for a special permit.

The Category C countries include Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia.

CAA has launched a rapid PCR test service at major airports of the country, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad as well.

Last month, keeping in view the latest Covid-19 situation, the CAA revised its international travel list and removed 11 countries including India from Category C.

The authority lifted travel restrictions on incoming passengers from 11 countries including India, Argentina, Bhutan, Maldives and Brazil. However, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, South Africa, Nepal are among 11 countries that are still listed in Category C.