Pakistani citizens can return but will be tested at the time of entry and positive cases will be quarantined
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to stop all inbound pedestrian traffic from Afghanistan and Iran in a bid to avoid new variants of coronavirus entering the country, according to a statement. The order, which comes in effect between the midnight of May 4 and 5, will not affect the cargo movement. Similarly, there are no restrictions on outbound pedestrian traffic.
“Revised Land Border Management Policy will be effective from mid-night 4/5 May (0001 PST) till midnight 19/20 May (0001 PST) and applicable only to inbound pedestrians with no effect on existing cargo/trade (Bilateral/Afghan Transit Trade) movement,” the statement said.
Pakistani nationals returning from the two countries will be allowed to return home. Extreme medical patients will also be allowed to enter Pakistan, the statement further added.
“Inbound pedestrian movement would cease with effect from midnight 4/5 May (0001 PST) with exception to Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan and Iran desirous to return and extreme medical emergency cases etc. All outbound pedestrian movement is permissible,” the statement said.
Pakistani citizens will be tested for COVID-19 and those testing positive will be moved to a quarantine facility. Afghan nationals with the exception will be sent back to their country if they test positive.
“Inbound pedestrians will undergo rapid antigen test (RAT). Positive cases (Pakistani nationals only) will be shifted to nearby quarantine facilities. Inbound pedestrian with Afghan exemptions will also undergo RAT testing at the border terminals. Positive cases, if any, will be reverted back to Afghanistan.”
“Thermal scanning of all drivers/co-drivers will be carried out on arrival at the border terminal. Symptomatic cases will undergo RAT testing, positive cases will be dealt with as per procedure spelled above,” the statement concluded.
These steps should help stem the flow of potential coronavirus cases from the western neighbors.