ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Saturday announced a major cut in incominginternational flights as the third wave of novel coronavirus intensifies inthe country.

According to the issued guidelines from the National Command and OperationCenter (NCOC), international air travel from May 4 to May 20, as inboundair traffic, will remain at 20 percent amid high virus prevalence aroundthe globe.

Pakistan’s top monitoring body has also notified that the flight plan willbe reviewed on May 18. It further added that all passengers coming toPakistan from abroad must show a PCR negative test report 72 hours inadvance.

The PCR test will be conducted again at the airport on arrival in Pakistanand National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will be bound to ensurethe supply of PCR test kits at all international airports.

A statement issued on Saturday stated positive cases will be shifted byprovincial/district administration to a self-paid facility for 10-dayquarantine with TTQ of contacts (if any). The PCR test will be conducted onthe eighth day of the quarantine period. In case of a negative result,passengers will be allowed to proceed home.

It further added that in case of positive results, passengers will eitherundergo additional quarantine periods or will be shifted to hospital as perthe advice of health authorities.