Pak. makes anti-COVID vaccination mandatory for all inbound passengers

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Tuesday made the anti-coronavirus (CO-VID-19) vaccination mand-atory for all passengers of inbound flights from January 5, abolishing lists of category B&C countries.
“It will be effective from January 5, 2022 0001ho-urs,” the authority said in a notification on its Twitter handle on Tuesday.
As per the pre-departure guidelines for inbound travel to Pakistan, the authority said it would be mandatory to have in possession the proof of anti-COVID-19 vaccination for all passengers above 15-year age. Besides, valid ne-gative PCR test results conducted within 48 hours wo-uld be essential for all passengers above six-year age.
On arrival in Pakistan, the PCAA said Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) would be conducted upon arrival for all direct flights from Europe, which would apply to all passengers above six years. And the RAT would be conducted upon arrival of a minimum of 50 per cent inbound flights from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, it added. “Any and all passengers producing a positive Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival will be quarantined at a self-paid/ Government facility for 10 days and a PCR test will be conducted on 8th day of such quarantine.”
The authority said the Pakistanis, who are currently abroad and not vaccinated against COVID-19 due to certain reasons like expired visa or illegal imm-igration/deportees, medical issues and pregnant female passengers, were exempted from the mandatory vaccination requirement.