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Updated 6 July 2022

Following the outbreak of a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, testing has become the norm worldwide to enable safe travelling. The government of Pakistan has also mandated strict testing and quarantine measures across its borders to ensure that the virus spread is under control. 

Keep reading to find out the current quarantine and testing measures applicable in Pakistan.

Pakistan entry requirements

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 variant, Omicron, Pakistan has made some changes in its entry rules including the testing and quarantine guidelines.

Pakistan testing rules

As per the directives by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for inbound travellers are being conducted on a random basis at international airports across Pakistan.

The Federal Government of Pakistan has now abolished the Category B and Category C country lists since 5 January 2022. Consequently, the following testing guidelines will be applicable on inbound travel to Pakistan:

Fully vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers who are 18 years and above can undertake international travel on inbound or outbound flights to or from Pakistan. Those who are fully immunized against COVID-19 and can present their vaccine certificate on arrival will not be required to undertake a pre-departure negative PCR test result prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.

Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated travellers

Unvaccinated passengers above 12 years are allowed to travel to Pakistan but must present a negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours before departing to Pakistan. Only the following category of unvaccinated passengers are currently allowed to travel to Pakistan:

  • Travellers with valid medical reasons for being unvaccinated (proof of exemption required).
  • Pakistani minors who are below 12 years of age
  • Foreign travellers who are below 18 years of age
  • Outbound travellers from Pakistan before 1 October 2021, whereby, such passengers travelling through connecting flights after entering Pakistan will be allowed to continue their domestic travel.

Minors below 12 years are exempt from having mandatory proof of COVID-19 vaccination, PCR test and uploading their details on the Pass Track app to travel to Pakistan.

You can check the latest guidelines issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) at https://caapakistan.com.pk/

 

Pakistan quarantine rules

Since Pakistan has now done away with the Category B and Category C country lists, all arriving passengers aged twelve years and above will be tested at random through Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival in Pakistan. Pakistani deportees will also need to undergo mandatory on-arrival Rapid Antigen Testing at the airport.

Positive testing passengers:

  • Any passengers whose Rapid Antigen Test result is positive upon arrival will be quarantined at self –paid / government facility for 10 days and a PCR test will be conducted on day 8 of such quarantine.
  • Passengers may still need to undergo additional quarantine until they could present a negative PCR test result.

In case they test negative for the PCR test, they will be allowed to leave. However, if they test positive again, they will have to undergo additional quarantine or be moved to a hospital, depending on advice from health authorities.

 

Where to quarantine in Pakistan?

Travellers in Pakistan have the option of paid or government quarantine. Check the province-wise list of quarantine facilities in Pakistan here.

 

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