(Karachi) The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued new travel instructions in which it directed airlines to not issue tickets to passengers suffering from coronavirus symptoms media reported on Sunday.

The CAA instructed that if a person suffers from Covid-19 symptoms after purchasing a ticket, he should not come to the airport. In its notification, it stated that passengers should be screened for symptoms such as cold, cough, flu, fever, and difficulty in breathing.

As part of the SOPs, all passengers have also been directed to wear masks at the airport, use sanitisers, and maintain social distance. The directions will remain in effect till July 31

270 flights are expected to land in Pakistan starting tomorrow: Moeed Yusuf

Earlier, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning, Dr. Moeed Yusuf said about 25 percent of Pakistan's airspace had been reopened for repatriation of nationals stranded in various countries due to the pandemic.

A new policy has been introduced starting from 20th June 2020. This policy will bring significant enhancement in the capacity to bring back stranded Pakistanis from across the world, he added.

Repatriation of nationals: 25 percent of airspace reopens: Moeed

He said that passengers will now be tested for coronavirus on their arrival and sent home to self isolate without having to wait for their results.

He also dismissed news that several outbound passengers from Pakistan have tested positive for the novel virus in other countries. "Not all people who traveled abroad have tested COVID-19 positive," he said.