ISLAMABAD: Abolishing all travel-related restrictions concerning COVID-19, well being authorities in Pakistan have requested all industrial banks to not insist on COVID-19 vaccination certificates for Haj functions.
“World Well being Organisation (WHO) has declared that COVID-19 isn’t any extra a Public Well being Emergency of Worldwide Concern (PHEIC), lifted many worldwide journey associated restrictions whereas it additionally declared that proof of vaccination for worldwide journey is just not a prerequisite anymore”, Nationwide Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) at Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH) Islamabad stated on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, industrial banks receiving Haj functions had been demanding COVID-19 vaccination certificates from the candidates, which is now not a prerequisite for worldwide journey, an official of the NCOC advised The Information and requested the Ministry of Non secular Affairs and Interfaith Concord to direct industrial banks to not insist for the COVID-19 vaccination certificates.
“As soon as balloting is finished and individuals are chosen, solely then the query of COVID-19 vaccination could be raised and on this regard, any determination could be taken on the directives from Saudi authorities”, the official added.
Quoting ‘Pointers for Worldwide Journey and Haj Pilgrims’ issued by the NCOC on Wednesday morning, the NCOC official stated the requirement for a compulsory COVID-19 vaccine certificates on the time of arrival to the purpose of entry in Pakistan has been abolished.
Equally, all inbound passengers won’t be required to current a COVID-19 damaging PCR report earlier than boarding or on arrival, the NCOC official stated including that 2% screening for COVID-19 of passengers travelling from the UK, Gulf and different international locations has additionally been abolished.
“However we’re enhancing syndromic surveillance of all passengers arriving on the level of entry and strengthening an infection prevention and management practices to comprise the transmission of pathogens on the level of entry. All of the above-mentioned insurance policies shall be carried out with speedy impact till additional orders”, the NCOC official added.