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Gulf Today Report

Pakistan has decided to put complete travel ban on 12 countries as it battles to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) modified the list of the countries placed in Categories A, B, and C for all international passengers, or all those arriving on chartered private aircraft flights, in view of the third wave of the deadly pandemic.

A CAA letter said the Revised Categorised Country List would be effective from March 23, 2021, to April 05, 2021.

According to authorities the temporary measure is being introduced in continuation to the steps being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan.

The countries imposed with total travel ban includes Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Civil Aviation Authority withdrew all earlier exemptions given to Pakistani passport holders, Pakistan Origin Cardholders, and those having National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).

"There will be a complete travel ban on inbound travel to Pakistan from Category C countries including withdrawal of exemptions earlier provided,” the Travel Advisory said.

Category A countries: (20) include; Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.

International travellers from Category A countries can travel to Pakistan and do not require a PCR Test to enter the country. Category B includes all those countries not included in either Category A or C, fall in Category B.

"Travellers from all these countries require a COVID-19 PCR Test before the commencement of travel to enter Pakistan, and it should not be more than 72 hours old," the CAA instructions say.