RAWALPINDI: Due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has chalked out fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for international travellers.

According to the authority, an updated list of countries for categories A, B and C has been approved for which these SOPs will be valid till Dec 31; RT-PCR tests of passengers from countries that have been placed in category A are not required. The following countries have been placed on the list: Australia, China, Cote D’lvoire, Cuba, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Passengers from the countries placed in categories B and C shall be required to provide negative RT-PCR test, conducted 96 hours prior to the flight, failing which the airline reserves the right to deny issuance of boarding pass.

For passengers travelling from category C countries, a negative test is mandatory before travelling to Pakistan while a second test will be done upon arrival.

Passengers who are less than 12 years of age, differently-abled or part of an international delegation, will only be required to submit a filled out health declaration form at the Pakistani airport.

Aircraft operations shall be subject to full compliance with CAA’s instructions regarding disinfection of aircraft, passenger and crew protection measures while airlines are responsible towards ensuring that these instructions are followed.

It has also been made mandatory for passengers to download the Pass Track application on their mobile phones and enter their personal details along with an image of their RT-PCR test.

As stated in the guidelines, aircraft managements are responsible for keeping an inventory of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) comprising protection units, gloves, face masks, goggles, N-95 masks etc., inside prior to take-off. All passengers and crew members are required to wear face masks during the flight.

Passengers have been advised to inform the cabin crew in case they experience symptoms of the disease.

Hand sanitisers will be provided to each passenger and the toilet will be sprayed after every hour.

In case of a positive RT-PCR result upon arrival, passengers will be required to self-isolate as per the isolation procedure.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2020