Pakistan now requires a negative COVID-19 test from the US, UK passport holders

Pakistan has made it mandatory for passengers from the US and the United Kingdom to provide coronavirus test results before boarding.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) which will come into effect from October 5. The PCAA has divided countries into Category A and Category B countries.

Countries under 'Category A' will not be required to submit COVID-19 PCR test. Some of the countries from the list of 38, include Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand and others.

However, passengers from US and UK are not exempted, and passengers from there will be required to provide negative PCR tests before boarding.

In its new SOPS, the aviation authority has made it mandatory for passengers traveling to Pakistan to download and install the Pass Track App. "The airlines shall ensure that the passengers have uploaded their information on the app or have a printed copy of uploaded information generated by the app prior to issuance of boarding passes at point of original embarkation," the PCAA said.

The aviation has exempted passengers younger than 12 years old, people with disabilities and high-level international delegates from both the PCR test and Pass Track app requirements. But, they have to submit a health declaration form at the airport on their arrival.