Covid-19 Omicron variant NCOC places travel ban on 9 more countries

With the growing concerns amid the arising spread of Covid-19 Omicron variant, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has extended the travel ban to nine more countries.

The decision came on Monday, the extended NCOC travel ban is mostly on the countries from Europe, except under certain conditions.

The nine countries added to the Category C list include Croatia, Poland, Vietnam, Hungary, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

Last month the NCOC travel ban was placed on South Africa, Hong Kong, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Botswana due to the spread of Covid-19 Omicron variant.

According to the Statement from the NCOC, the ban is placed on inbound travel from these countries. In case of essential travel, detailed health protocols will be followed. The health protocol will allow only fully vaccinated passengers. Passengers above the age of six, whether local or foreigners will be asked to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report. The PCR test should be no more than 48 hours prior to boarding. On arrival to Pakistan rapid antigen testing (RAT) will be conducted.

Passengers can proceed only if they test negative, however, passengers arriving from the banned countries (South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia) will have to go through mandatory three-day quarantine followed by a PCR test.

Those who test positive will be quarantined for 10 days on arrival. A PCR test will be conducted on the eighth day. They will be allowed to exit only if they test negative or else they will spend more time under qurantine. If needed they will be shifted to the hospital as per the instruction of health authorities.

The countries placed in Category B include Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Russia, the USA, the UK, Thailand, France, Austria, Afghanistan and Turkey. All inbound travellers will follow the same health protocols.

All other countries are placed in category A, they will also be required to follow the same health protocols as category B & C. Pakistani nationals can travel from category C countries till December 15. Pakistani nationals who have been unable to get fully vaccinated due to certain conditions including, expired visa, pregnancy, illegal immigration, pending court cases, medical conditions have been exempted from the requirement of fully vaccinated, however, they must provide proof to the airline and immigration authorities before boarding.

Follow INCPAK on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram for updates.