RAWALPINDI: The government has directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure that all airlines get a health declaration from passengers while travelling to Pakistan.

During his visit to Islamabad International Airport (IIA) on Monday, Aviation Secretary Hassan Nasir Jamy said all travellers entering Pakistan must fill out a health declaration form as part of accelerated efforts to control the spread of coronavirus.

The CAA must ensure that airlines get health declaration from passengers, he added.

Mr Jamy visited the health desk established at the airport and spoke to doctors and paramedics about any issues they might be facing.

He took a round of various parts of the airport to review routine arrangements made to facilitate public and passengers.

The federal secretary also went to see the free of cost tea stalls, established by CAA at the airport for both international and domestic departure passengers.

Mr Jamy was briefed about rainwater harvesting at Kasana Dam and land acquisition at IIA for extension of the airport.

He reiterated the Aviation Division’s commitment to ensure provision of better facilities to passengers at IIA.

The federal secretary was accompanied by CAA Additional Director General Air Vice Marshal Tanveer Bhatti and Deputy Director General (regulation) Air Commodore Syed Nasir Raza Hamdani.

The health department has established a screening desk at the airport in the wake of coronavirus in China.

All passengers arriving via international flights are being scanned for coronavirus at IIA.

Special arrangements had been made to shift passengers to government hospitals in the twin cities in case they showed symptoms of cough, shortness of breath or respiratory tract inflammation.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2020