COVID-19: Effective SOPs in place for safety of air passengers in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan is practicing effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure safety of the air passengers, traveling within, or outside the country in special flights, as per its national strategy to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread.

The government modified the existing SOPs for airports at international arrivals on April 4, declaring screening, 24-hour quarantine and collecting swab sample for test of all passengers and flight crew mandatory.

'Those with negative test result shall be allowed to leave with strict instructions and guidance for home quarantine. While, the data of all passengers and flight crew with their mobile numbers will be kept for record and further follow up,' the Aviation Division said issuing the modified SOPs.

A few days back, the division also made quarantine and RT-PCR test mandatory for air passenger(s) accompanying a dead body in any flight.

As per the preventive measures against the deadly virus, the government on March 21 suspended operation of all international passenger, chartered and private flights to Pakistan initially for a period of two weeks, which now has been extended till May 15.

Diplomats and special/ cargo aircraft...