New travel strategies are all set amid the new Covid-19 variant threat. After the discovery of a new coronavirus strain named Omicron, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a new travel alert for Category C nations on Sunday in an effort to prevent cases of new coronavirus variants in Pakistan.
The CAA has issued a new travel alert for 17 countries, including South Africa, Hong Kong, Iraq, Namibia, and Ukraine.
Passengers from nations classified as C would need approval from the National Command and Operations Centre to travel (NCOC). “They would be required to submit proof of full Covid-19 vaccination,” the CAA stated.
Meanwhile, Pakistani citizens who fall into this category are allowed to return home until December 5th without obtaining formal permission.
A negative PCR test report obtained 72 hours prior to departure will be required. According to the travel alert, passengers would be subject to testing and quarantine restrictions upon arrival in Pakistan.
The discovery of a novel coronavirus type has sparked worldwide concern, with several countries restricting travel to South Africa as a result.
In a statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was labeling the omicron version as “of concern,” a term given to only four different types so far.
New travel strategies all set amid new Covid-19 variant threat, NCOC chief Asad Umar ordered a travel ban on seven countries.
The NCOC’s planning minister acknowledged the travel restrictions imposed on six South African countries and Hong Kong and stated that the introduction of the new variation emphasizes the importance of vaccinating all eligible persons.
“Based on the emergence of the new Covid variant, notification has been issued to restrict travel from 6 South African countries and Hong Kong,” Umar said in a tweet. “The emergence of new variant makes it even more urgent to vaccinate all eligible citizens 12 years and older,” he added.
On November 25, South African scientists announced the finding of the Omicron variety. The variation is expected to be extremely contagious due to several mutations. Many countries are rushing to contain it, with flights from southern Africa being banned.
“Consequent to the emergence of Omicron Covid variant in South Africa and its spread to adjoining regions, a complete ban has been imposed on direct/indirect inbound travel from South Africa, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana,” the NCOC said in a statement.
“Vaccination certificate, negative PCR [polymerase chain reaction] report (maximum 72 hours old) before boarding, and RAT [rapid antigen test] on arrival at the airport” are among the protocols, according to the statement.
The US had previously announced that travel from South Africa – where the new mutation was detected – and neighboring nations will be restricted beginning Monday.
Following flight bans issued by the United Kingdom, the European Union, and others, Canada also declared it would close its borders to the same countries.
