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Pakistan takes immediate measures on reports of SARS-COV-2 detection in UK

National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday decided to take immediate steps on receiving reports on the detection of a new strain of SARS-COV-2 in United Kingdom.

According to an official of NCOC, the new strain of SARS-COV-2 (VUI-202012/01) is more transmissible than other previously known strains on which the NCOC has decided upon an immediate response to limit the strain’s spread in Pakistan.

He said that the United Kingdom launched a new virological investigation once authorities reported a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in South East England. The in-depth analysis concluded that the sharp rise in cases is likely due to a new, mutated strain of the virus currently named “VUI-202012/01”. Preliminary analysis suggested that this particular strain is approximately 70% more transmissible. However, so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the infection caused by this strain is any more severe.

Many countries have already either completely banned or imposed additional restrictions on flights and travellers coming from the UK.

The official said that in order to prevent the spread of this particular strain of SARS-COV-2 in Pakistan, the NCOC has decided to take measures regarding travel from the UK with immediate effect including trace and test of all passengers who have arrived from the UK over the past seven days as per TTQ protocols, including passengers arriving on the 21st and 22nd of December 2020.

Similarly, passengers who have arrived from the UK over the past seven days have been requested to quarantine until their test results have come back.

Other measures will come into effect at 11:59 pm on 22nd of December, 2020 including Pakistani passport holders who travelled to the UK on visitor or temporary visas will be allowed to return with the protocols including negative result of a PCR test taken a maximum of 72 hours prior to boarding the flight in the UK and PCR test on arrival in Pakistan as arranged by the federal and provincial government.

Similarly, passengers will be required to stay in the airport or will be taken to a government facility until the test is taken besides mandatory enforced home quarantine for seven days.

For non-Pakistanis and dual nationals holding both UK and Pakistan passports, direct or indirect travel from the UK would be temporarily suspended, starting from 11:59pm on 22nd of December 2020.

All travellers who are in or have been in the UK over the past 10 days will not be allowed entry into Pakistan. However, passengers in transit in the UK, who do not leave airside during the transit will be allowed to enter Pakistan.

For all travelers of any citizenship or passport arriving from any country, Pass Track App is mandatory for all travelers arriving in Pakistan from any country. Passengers who do not have a Pass Track App will need to fill out the web form of the Pass Track App.

The official asked to get updated travel advice and further information from website https://covid.gov.pk/intl_travellers/current_policies

He said that these measures will remain until 11:59pm on 29th of December, 2020 at least and will be reviewed by NCOC on 28th of December 2020.