December 6,2021
Islamabad (Press Release) Prevalent COVID situation across the globe has been reviewed at NCOC in order to revise the policy for categorization of air travel and Cat C list. Revised categories basing on disease profile and health / testing protocols applicable to travelers from these countries are given in ensuing paragraphs:-
- Cat ‘C’ List
a. Fresh List of Cat ‘C’ countries is as under: –
(1) Croatia.
(2) Hungry.
(3) Netherlands.
(4) Ukraine.
(5) Ireland.
(6) Slovenia.
(7) Vietnam.
(8) Poland.
(9) South Africa.
(10) Mozambique.
(11) Lesotho.
(12) Eswatini.
(13) Botswana.
(14) Zimbabwe.
(15) Namibia.
b. Health / Testing Protocols for Inbound Air Travel from Cat C countries are as under: –
(1) Complete ban on Inbound travel from Cat C countries.
(2) Essential travel from above mentioned countries would necessitate obtaining
exemption certificate from exemption committee with following health protocols: –
(a) 100% vaccination for all inbound pax. Manifestation as per obligatory
vaccination regime vide our letter no 801/A/Ops-III/NCOC-01 dated 30
September 2021.
(b) All pax of 06 years age and above (locals / foreigners) are required to
be in possession of negative PCR test report (max 48 hours old) before
boarding. Deportees are exempted from PCR test / report requirement.
(c) RAT on arrival at airport for all inbound pax (6 years and above)
travelling via direct / indirect flights from Cat ‘C’ countries.
(d) RAT negative cases will be allowed to proceed. However, RAT negative cases from Omicron variant countries mentioned at para 2 a (9) to (15) (South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia) will have to undergo 3 days mandatory quarantine followed by PCR test to be conducted on 3rd day by civil
administration.
(e) RAT positive cases will be quarantined for 10 x days. RT PCR test of all RAT positive quarantined passengers will be undertaken on 8th day of quarantine. In case of negative result, pax will be allowed to proceed. However, in case of positive result, pax will either undergo additional quarantine or will be shifted to hospital as per advice of health authorities.
- Cat ‘B’ List
a. Countries placed in Cat ‘B’ are listed below: –
(1) Germany. (8)
(2) Trinidad and Tobago. (9)
(3) Azerbaijan. (10)
(4) Mexico. (11)
(5) Sri Lanka. (12)
(6) Russia. (13)
(7) USA.
UK. Thailand. France. Austria. Afghanistan. Turkey.
b. Health / Testing Protocols for Inbound Air Travel from Cat ‘B’ countries are as under: –
(1) 100% vaccination for all inbound pax. Manifestation as per obligatory vaccination regime vide our letter no 801/A/Ops-III/NCOC-01 dated 30 September 2021.
(2) All pax of 06 years age and above (locals / foreigners) are required to be in possession of negative PCR test report (max 48 hours old) before boarding. Deportees are exempted from PCR test / report requirement.
(3) RAT of random flights will be conducted at airport on arrival from Cat ‘B’ countries.
(4) RAT negative cases will be allowed to proceed. RAT positive cases will be quarantined for 10 x days. RT PCR test of all RAT positive quarantined passengers will be undertaken on 8th day of quarantine. In case of negative result, pax will be allowed to proceed home. However, in case of positive result, pax will either undergo additional quarantine period or will be shifted to hospital as per advice of health authorities. - Cat ‘A’ Countries. All other countries not included in Cat ‘C’ and ‘B’ will fall in Cat ‘A’ with following health / testing protocols applicable to inbound travelers: –
a. 100% vaccination for all inbound pax. Manifestation as per obligatory vaccination
regime vide our letter no 801/A/Ops-III/NCOC-01 dated 30 September 2021.
b. All pax of 06 years age and above (locals / foreigners) are required to be in possession of negative PCR test report (max 48 hours old) before boarding. Deportees are
exempted from PCR test / report requirement. - Screening of Transit flights. 100% RAT on arrival for transit flights arriving via KSA, UAE and Qatar will be ensured to guard against entry of Omicron variant through indirect flights. 6. Exemption / Waiver. To facilitate stranded Pakistanis, NCOC has approved following relaxations: –
a. All Pakistanis can travel from Cat C countries without exemption till 15 December 21 but above-mentioned health / testing protocols on arrival will remain applicable.
b. Pakistanis already travelled / travelling to Category C countries on short term visa
and deportees are permitted to travel back without exemption process.
c. Pakistanis unable to get themselves vaccinated abroad (all categories) due to following reasons are Exempted from mandatory vaccination after producing
valid proof to airline / immigration authorities before boarding: –
(1) Expired Visa / Emirates ID or illegal immigrants / deportees.
(2) Pending court cases.
(3) Medical conditions / issues.
(4) Pregnant women.
(5) Partially vaccinated from Pakistan.
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