In a notification issued by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the health authorities of Pakistan are closely following the developments of the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) and affirming the keenness to implement the approved international standards and supporting the efforts of countries and international organizations especially the World Health organization to stop the spread of the virus in order to control and eliminate it.
Furthermore, it said that the efforts taken to provide the utmost protection to the safety of citizens and residents and everyone who intends to travel to the territory of Pakistan. Based on the recommendations of the health authorities to apply the highest precautionary standards and take proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the country, it has been decided to temporarily suspend the operations of all Iranian airlines to/from Pakistan with immediate effect, it added. The said move comes after the detection of two corona virus affected persons in Karachi, who arrived from Iran on February 20, 2020 along with other 25 pilgrims.
Meanwhile, PIA spokesman confirmed that flight operations to Iran had suspended before the outbreak of corona virus.
Reuters adds: Authorities shut schools in Sindh, including Karachi where the first case was reported, and Balochistan, which borders Iran. They also began to trace nearly 8,000 pilgrims who recently returned to the country from Iran.