RAWALPINDI: In order to implement Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Wednesday extended travel advisory for all inbound travellers, including those on chartered and private flights, to Pakistan till March 22.

According to a notification issued by the PCAA, entry of travellers from C category countries into Pakistan has still been temporarily restricted and they are allowed to enter Pakistan only with a no objection certificate from the National Command and Operation Centre and Covid-19 PCR test report.

The countries placed into C category by the PCAA include United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Botswana and Zambia.

The travellers from the countries categorised as A do not require Covid-19 PCR test for entering Pakistan. The countries in A category include New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

The travellers from the countries not specified in A category require Covid-19 PCR test (maximum 72 hours old) before commencing travel to Pakistan.

Earlier on Saturday, the PCAA had extended its travel advisory for international passengers inbound to Pakistan till March 18.

The notification said all inbound passengers would have to follow the SOPs issued by the PCAA. A list of countries categorised as A, B and C was also shared by the authorities.

Prior to that, the PCAA had extended its travel advisory for inbound passengers till March 14, with upgrading its C category and adding nine more countries in the list.

The fresh travel advisory has been issued by the director of the PCCA’s Air Transport department.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2021