Pakistan bans flights from UK in the wake of new coronavirus strain

Pakistan has banned UK arrivals because of concerns at the spread of a new variant of coronavirus, a notification from aviation department confirmed on Monday.

According to a notification issued by Government of Pakistan Cabinet Secretariat (Aviation Division), the development was made in National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) meeting.

Temporary restriction is being placed on inbound travelers from UK (whether direct or indirect) into Pakistan to be effective from midnight 22nd December until midnight 29th of the month, reads the notification.

These restrictions will be applicable to all persons who originate travel from UK are in or have been in UK over the past 10 days.

Meanwhile, Transit passengers, who have travelled to UK, from destinations other than UK will be allowed to travel into Pakistan, further in the notification.

National passport holders, who have travelled to UK as a visitor or on temporary visas will be allowed to return home only after following arrangements:

• Negative PCR test, performed within 72 hours prior to their departure will be required.

• PCR Test on arrival in Pakistan under arrangement Directorate of
  Central Health Establishment (CHE)/

• Federating units health staff. Passengers will be required to stay in the airport on in government facility until PCR test is taken.

• Mandatory enforced quarantine at home for seven days.

• Traced and test all passengers arrived from UK over the past
  seven days as per TTQ protocol including passengers arriving on 21st December and 22nd December.

Pass Track App is made mandatory for all travelers arriving in Pakistan with effect from midnight 22 December. Passengers who do not have the app will need to fill out the web from the Pass Track App.

Moreover, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been requested to issue necessary guidelines to all airlines for implementation on the decision.

NCOC will review the aforementioned decision on December 28 and any changes will be communicated to CAA for further necessary instructions, concluded the notification.

It is worth to mention here that flights from the UK are being suspended to 40 countries across the world including, Spain, India and Hong Kong.

Other countries to impose a ban on UK arrivals include Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Switzerland. Some of the bans are already in force while others are to begin on Tuesday.

Coronavirus infections in the UK rose by 35,928 on Sunday - nearly double the number recorded seven days previously.

And it was announced that a further 326 people died within 28 days of testing positive, bringing the nation's total to 67,401.