RAWALPINDI: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has exempted diplomats, their staff and families from rapid antigen testing (RAT) on arrival in Pakistan.

“Rapid Antigen Testing will not be mandatory on arrival there, however, diplomats, diplomatic staff and their families opting for RAT and testing negative, will be exempted from mandatory home quarantine requirement in the future,” a notification issued by the CAA on said.

They will be required to produce a negative PCR test result conducted within the 72 hours prior to commencement of journey to Pakistan. It further said the passengers traveling to Pakistan should have Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

They should also ensure mandatory home quarantine with PCR tests conducted on 2nd and 8th of quarantine.

The CAA further said that due to volatile Covid-19 situation across the world, and additional stipulations may also be mandated by the health authorities upon arrival of the diplomats, diplomatic staff and their families in Pakistan.

The CAA on Tuesday made an amendment in its previous notification issued on May 21, making the Rapid Antigen Testing on arrival in Pakistan and in case of positive test result, they will be required to undergo mandatory indoor quarantine in their respective embassies.

In addition, they were to keep a valid negative PCR test certification conducted within the 72 hours prior to commencement of journey to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in a bid to curb Covid-19 epidemic, the CAA has decided to initiate vaccination drives for employees of all private and public entities working at the airports.

According to CAA, the inoculation drive will be carried out in phases as in the first phase employees at all major airports will be vaccinated and in the second phase employees at other airports shall be inoculated.

The CAA has asked the authorities concerned to provide airport wise information /data of employees in airlines deputed at different airports in Pakistan so that they could be vaccinated.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2021