COVID-19: Stranded Pakistanis going back home will have to pay for quarantine facilities

Dubai: Stranded Pakistanis who are travelling back home from UAE or elsewhere will have to pay to stay in the quarantine facilities, according to a new government directive.

The passengers, however, will have the option to stay free in the government’s quarantine facilities at the airports for two days only. They will have to pay for food and other amenities in case they are required to stay longer than two days for only two days.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) announced a new health policy for passengers travelling to Pakistan between April 18-30 on special flights. The cost vary from Rs3500 to Rs5000 per person per day.

According to the PCAA, all standard operating procedures (SOPs) mentioned in the health forms are to be strictly implemented by the passengers due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic situation in the country.

According to the nationwide tally on Monday, number of confirmed cases has risen to 8418 with 176 deaths while 1970 patients have recovered so far.

The new policy makes it mandatory for all passengers travelling by air to submit their health forms, which include information on flu, cold, cough, and sore throat. The form also states that passengers should enter quarantine if the relevant health officer deemed it necessary. They are liable to penalties for providing wrong or false information.

The government, on the other hand, is required to provide accommodation according to the passengers’ preferences.

Passengers have the option to stay free for two days in the government’e guarantine facility or choose to stay in a hotel provided by the government. They will have to pay the cost of staying in a hotel.

First batch of 227 stranded Pakistanis was taken on a PIA flight on April 18 from Dubai. Most of them complained about the substandard quarantine facilities.

At least 1000 stranded people were carried on Monday on four special PIA flights — two each from Dubai to Lahore and Karachi. At least 15 flights are being operated until April 30 from UAE to different cities in Pakistan to repatriate stranded Pakistanis.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf said that beginning April 20, the government will be able to bring back 6,000-7,000 passengers every week with operations running across six airports. “And this will gradually be expanded to accommodate more passengers,” said Yusuf.

According to the new PCCA, all passenger luggage and cargo shall be disinfected by the airline soon after unloading from the aircraft. The airline shall be responsible for provision of appropriate masks and gloves to the staff involved with handling the checked baggage and cargo.

Passengers will not be allowed to pick up their luggage from the baggage carousel themselves. Instead, the respective airline/ GHA staff shall pick up the luggage from the belt.

Upon arrival in the arrival lounge the passengers and flight crew will be subjected to thermal scanning.

Upon arrival in Pakistan, all passengers and crew will be subjected to a minimum of 48-hour state-monitored quarantine period. The quarantine can be extended based on the result of the passenger’s COVID-19 test, which will be conducted after 48 hours. Those who test negative will be advised compulsory self-isolation to complete a 14-day period.

The transportation to the quarantine location will be arranged by the concerned authorities. No meet and greet shall be allowed at the airport.

Passengers will be responsible for all expenses of their stay if they choose to stay in a hotel/paid facility. Government quarantine centres will be free of cost for two-days.

Passengers will not be able to switch facilities once their quarantine begins unless deemed necessary by the authorities.

While the government will try its best to accommodate passengers according to their preferences, paid facilities are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

The authorities on the ground will have the final say on where passengers are quarantined.