Authorities in Turkey have granted a one-day exemption to Pakistani citizens stranded at Istanbul airport after new coronavirus regulations were imposed including a quarantine of 14 days on passengers arriving from several countries including Pakistan.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said a number of Pakistanis had gotten stranded at Istanbul, as they had started their journey before the announcement of the regulations.

"At the embassy's intercession, the Turkish authorities have granted a one-day exemption (for June 1). These passengers are being allowed entry into Turkey after a negative PCR test conducted at the airport.

"The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul are in close contact with the Pakistanis at the airport to help minimise the impact of these regulations," he added.

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