New Covid variant: Pakistan bans UK flights

Islamabad - Travel restrictions on inbound travellers from UK for a limited period.

Pakistan has banned flights from the United Kingdom until December 29 after a new strain of the coronavirus Covid-19 emerged in the UK, a notification issued on Monday said.

The restriction will be on all direct and indirect flights from the UK, effective December 23 at 12:00am, and will be applicable on all persons who are travelling from the UK and are in or have been in the UK for 10 days, the notice issued by Government of Pakistan's Aviation division said.

Also read: Countries that have banned flights over new Covid variant

Transit passengers who do not leave airside in the UK from destinations other than the UK will be allowed to travel into Pakistan.

Pakistani passport holders who travelled to the UK on visitor or temporary visas will be allowed to return if:

- They test negative for PCR test, performed within 72 hours prior to the flight

- PCR test on arrival in Pakistan. Passengers will be required to stay at the airport or in a government facilty until the test is taken