CAA issues new travel restrictions for inbound UK, South Africa flights

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Monday issued new travel restrictions for the passengers coming from the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa in view of a second novel coronavirus wave amplified by a newly detected Covid strain found hastily transmissible across Britain, ARY News reported.

According to new CAA advisory on inbound travel from UK and South Africa, any Pakistan passport holder with a Business visa, visitor visa or Transit visa can board Pakistani-bound UK and South Africa flight on a condition they test COVID negative in a PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to flight.

Diplomats and their families may also travel to Pakistan from UK and South Africa while in possession of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours prior to flight.

Other than these cases stated above, passengers holding NICOP or POC and stayed in the UK or South Africa for last 10 days prior to travel to Pakistan, may return back to Pakistan with COVID negative test report conducted 72 hours prior to flight.

The notification further said that all passengers will undergo Rapid Antigen Tests upon arrival in Pakistan whereby all negative testing passengers will be allowed to leave the airport with the advice to self-quarantine for a period of 5 days.

Meanwhile, the positive testing passengers will undergo PCR Test by the health authorities and they will self quarantine themselves at homes till the results of such PCR Tests.

The new travel restrictions will remain in effect until January 31, 2021.

Read More: CAA delays fresh guidelines for inbound UK flights as passengers suffer

It may be noted that besides a ban on UK flights, the CAA on January 01 rolled out a new travel advisory for its international operations set to remain in force until March 31.

Airlines are restricted not to issue tickets and boarding passes to passengers without checking their negative Covid reports according to the new advisory effective immediately.