UK virus crisis: Pakistan relaxes travel restrictions for expats return

Authorities have relaxed Covid-19 travel restrictions for the return of Pakistani citizens and diplomatic staff from the UK.

The people having a business visa, visit visa and transit visa can return the homeland after they undergo coronavirus test 72 hours before the start of the journey.

The holders of study, as well as work visas expiring in 30 days, will be allowed to return. They are too bound to undergo the test. Similarly, the diplomatic staff having Covid-19 negative test report can return.

As the rapid rise in coronavirus cases in the UK, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) imposed a ban on the entry of passengers from the United Kingdom from Dec 22 to Dec 29. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled all flights while in-transit passengers who had not landed at any British airport can come back.  

Passengers will be officially quarantined until their test results negative, a notification said, adding that the passengers will be quarantined at their homes for seven days even after the negative test.