Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security, Moeed Yusuf on Monday, announced that Pakistani citizens returning from abroad via special flights will be obligated to undergo COVID-19 tests without any exceptions, as soon as they land.
Speaking to a press conference in Islamabad, Moeed Yusuf stated that all the passengers returning from abroad will undergo coronavirus test and will be shifted to a quarantine centre immediately until their test results are received.
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“When passengers return they will immediately undergo a test unlike our previous policy of waiting for 48 hours,” he said.
According to Moeed Yusuf, the passengers will have the liberty to either get their COVID-19 tests done by government services or by any private hospital/lab.
“After their test results come back, it will be up to the provincial governments to decide whether they want to send those who have tested negative for the virus to isolate at home or not,” he added.
Furthermore, Moeed Yusuf reiterated government’s commitment to bring back stranded Pakistanis on urgent basis, and that all resources are being utilized for this purpose.
“On the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government is striving to bring maximum stranded Pakistanis back home at the earliest,” he noted.
The government intends to bring back 12,000 stranded Pakistanis in the next 10 days.
As per the details, around 20,000 Pakistanis have already been brought back from various countries, while another 100,000 Pakistani nationals stranded abroad, have reached out to Pakistani authorities urging to be rescued and brought back amid COVID-19 crisis.
