ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has decided to suspend all international passenger, chartered and private flights from tonight at 08:00 pm till April 4 in the view of Coronavirus outbreak.
However, diplomats and cargo are excepted from the embargo.
PIA is cancelling all its international flights in accordance with the directives of Government of Pakistan effective from 8 PM 21 Mar 2020 till 28 Mar 2020. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. For more information & reservation changes contact 111-786-786. #PIA
— PIA (@Official_PIA) March 21, 2020
Upon the resumption of international flights to Pakistan, the RT-PCR Test Certification for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from points of origin will not be mandatory.
Meanwhile, addressing a Press Conference in Islamabad on Saturday, the Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that they have decided to shut down 34 trains for the time being as part of measures to curtail the spread of Novel Coronavirus.
The minister said that 22 trains will be shut down from March 24 while 12 trains will cease to operate from tomorrow evening. He said that trains will remain shut down till the 15th of Ramadan.
Sheikh Rasheed stressed upon the passengers to avoid unnecessary travel through trains. He said that as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, there are now 20 percent less railway passengers.
The railways minister said that train services are being suspended as precautionary measures, and once the situation gets normal, the services will be restored. He said that we will receive the screening equipment for COVID-19 in two days.
The minister said that the Coronavirus Pandemic has devastated the world economy. However, he maintained that he doesn’t endorse the option of locking down the entire Country or Cities.
