Complete Temporary Air Space Suspension of Pakistan | Ibadat
UMRAH | March 21st, 2020

PIA Temporarily Suspends All International Flights Over Corona Virus Fears

Update:  Complete Temporary Air Space Closure of Pakistan

PRESS RELEASE [AVIATION DIVISION] |21-03-2020

TRAVEL ADVISORY – NOVEL CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
ISLAMABAD: The WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Most of the countries have now reported cases of COVID-19. The Government is making all-out efforts to deal with a rapidly evolving situation which is a challenge, not only for Pakistan but the whole world. Proactive, comprehensive and coordinated steps continue to be taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19, with a view to ensuring safety and security of our nationals and people traveling to and from Pakistan.
2. As the situation evolves, the Government continues to review the measures/ arrangements in place, including the WHO recommendations to keep its population safe.
3. Against this backdrop and after carefully examining all options, the Government of Pakistan has decided to suspend operation of all international passenger, chartered and private flights to Pakistan, effective from 21st March 2020 (2000 hrs PST) to 4th April 2020 (2000 hrs PST). This is a temporary suspension imposed due to exceptional circumstances. Upon resumption of international passenger, chartered and private flights to Pakistan, RT-PCR test certification from points of origin will not be mandatory.   
4. Diplomats and special/ cargo aircrafts are exempted from the conditions above. However, they will be subjected to appropriate health screenings on arrival. They can also be isolated / quarantined as per advice of health professionals.
5. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of its people. COVID-19 is a global challenge entailing a global response. Individual responsibility is critical for collective security. Your safety lies in keeping others safe.
Abdul Sattar Khokhar
Senior Joint Secretary
Spokesman
Aviation Division

Earlier Today Pakistan International Airlines Announced Suspension of Flights

21 March: In an effort to curb the spread of corona virus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended all international operations. This was announced earlier today by several news channels, PIA’s official facebook page has also issued the notification.

PIA is cancelling all its international flights in accordance with the directives of Government of Pakistan effective from 8 PM 21 Mar 2020 till 28 Mar 2020. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. For more information & reservation changes contact 111-786-786. #PIA #PakistanFightsCorona

PIA - FB Notification of International Flight Suspensions


Read More [Questions Regarding Hajj in 2020 and Umrah 2020]How will Hajj 2020 and the rest of Umrah Season 2019 – 2020 be impacted by Corona Virus?

Expectations for Hajj 2020: Pakistan travel industry experts are expecting that the Saudi Government may reduce Hajj Quota of different countries (residents of countries most affected might completely be barred from preforming Hajj in 2020) in an effort to manage the spread of virus. If this is the case then the overall Hajj Quota from Pakistan may be reduced and hence Quota of Private Hajj Organizers will also get reduced. This means that the availability of Private Hajj Packages for 2020 in Pakistan will go down.

Expectations for Umrah 2019 – 2020: It is now assumed that Umrah might not open until Ramadan 2020, with some industry experts saying that Umrah might not be allowed for international travelers for the rest of the season

Originally published March 21st, 2020 10:13 am, updated March 24, 2020

Topic: Umrah

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