Karachi: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate three moreflights to the United Kingdom (UK) ahead of the April 09 travel ban.

According to details, the national flag carrier will operate two flights toManchester on April 07 and 08 while one to London on April 08. The airlinehas taken the approval of UK government to operate more flights before thetravel ban comes into effect.

In a Twitter statement, PIA said: “Those who couldn’t yet get the seats canget those with ease by approaching PIA offices, tasked by CEO to work 24/7.More flights are also planned & will be announced soon.”

UK in a latest move to curb COVID-19 spread has restricted the passengers’inflow from Pakistan, Philippines, Kenya and Bangladesh.

According to UK Transport Department (DFT), British and Irish residentsarriving from the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh will berequired to self-isolate in a government-approved ‘hotel quarantine’facility for 10 days starting from April 9, 4am and would must take aCOVID-19 test on day two and day eight of their self-isolation.

The latest update means that passengers arriving from or who have transitedthrough these countries will be banned from entering unless they are aBritish or Irish national or are a resident in the UK.

The passengers will not be allowed to shorten their quarantine periodregardless of their test results, and will also not be able to end it earlythrough the Test to Release scheme.

According to DFT, the measures are aimed at reducing the risk posed by newcoronavirus variants – such as the South Africa strain and are based onadvice from the Government-funded Joint Biosecurity Centre.

There will be 40 countries on the ‘red list’ once the four countries joinon April 09.