Pakistan: Authorities enhancing domestic COVID-19 curbs in some areas as of May 24 /update 47

Event

Various provinces are modifying restrictions as of May 24 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Nationwide measures continue. These measures include authorities allowing public buses and trains to operate, albeit with 50-percent and 70-percent passenger capacity, respectively. Workplaces may function with a maximum of 50-percent of personnel on site. All nonessential businesses must close by 22:00. No indoor or outdoor gathering is permitted. Recreational venues, sports facilities, and religious shrines must stay closed. All nonessential activity and movement, as well as interprovincial public transport services, are banned on Saturdays and Sundays. Violators of measures may be subject to fines and arrests. Reports indicate generally poor adherence to and enforcement of guidelines across the nation. Protests against restrictions affecting business activity, religious services, and public movement may occur, mainly in urban centers. Clashes between demonstrators and police cannot be ruled out.

The strictest curbs are likely in areas with “smart lockdowns”. Officials will suspend nonessential activity and movement. Essential stores may also face operational restrictions, while limited public and private transport services can function. Authorities typically ban all gatherings except for permitted events; they also impose entry and exit controls in such areas. Multiple areas of major cities such as Karachi are under such measures. Other local variations in rules continue. Provincial measures as of May 24 include:

• Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Nationwide restrictions apply, though enhanced restrictions are possible in high-risk districts.

• Balochistan: Nationwide measures are in effect. Schools have reopened across the province except in Quetta.

• Gilgit-Baltistan: Nationwide restrictions are in force. Passengers must receive rapid antigen tests (RAT) upon arrival at entry points.

• Islamabad Capital Territory: All markets and nonessential establishments must close by 20:00. All commercial activity is banned on Saturdays and Sundays. Interprovincial public transport is prohibited on Saturdays and Sundays.

• Khyber Pakhtunkwa: All nonessential business activities banned on Fridays and Saturdays. Groceries may operate until 20:00 and hotels and restaurants may open until 12:00 on those days. Business activities on other days may continue until 20:00. Interprovincial transport is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

• Punjab: Commercial activities are banned from 20:00 through June 15. All commercial establishments must close on Saturdays and Sundays. All interprovincial transport is banned.

• Sindh: Businesses may not operate on Fridays and Saturdays; essential services are exempted from the measure. Nonessential businesses may operate 05:00-18:00 on other days. Several facilities, including business centers, gyms, tourist spots, and cinemas remain closed.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities have permitted the resumption of international passenger flight operations. Cargo, charter, and repatriation flights are also operational. However, authorities allow only up to 50 percent of scheduled domestic and international flights to operate as of May 24 until further notice. Passenger flights remain limited due to low demand and travel restrictions imposed by foreign governments on Pakistani citizens and air carriers. The UK continues to ban most travel from Pakistan due to increased COVID-19 activity; officials are exempting British or Irish passport holders as well as people with UK residence rights. Canada is extending a similar travel ban on passenger flights from Pakistan through June 21: extensions are possible. All entrants to Pakistan via air routes, including tourists, must submit negative results of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Category A countries - Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam - are exempt from the testing requirement. Only permitted arrivals from Category C nations may enter; the rule affects 23 countries, such as Brazil, India, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, as of May 24. Authorities typically revise category classifications fortnightly, and designations could change at short notice.

All travelers must submit a health declaration form online or via the "Pass Track" mobile application within 48 hours before arrival in Pakistan. All entrants to the country, including Pakistani nationals, must undergo on-arrival rapid antigen testing and self-isolate at home for 10 days if they have no COVID-19 symptoms. Symptomatic passengers and those who test positive will be subject to a 10-day self-paid institutional quarantine. Such travelers will undergo testing on the eighth day; those with negative results may exit quarantine, while those with positive results must undergo additional quarantine.

Land border crossings with India, Iran, and Afghanistan remain closed, except for limited cargo transport, permitted passenger travel, and repatriation. All Afghan nationals above the age of 12 permitted to enter through land borders - mainly for emergency trips - must produce negative results of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours before arrival. However, cargo transit continues to face intermittent disruptions, primarily along the Afghan border, due to protests over the permitted number of vehicles and people's passage. Suspension of bus and train services between India and Pakistan will continue until further notice.

Advice

Confirm travel arrangements. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments, deliveries, and travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Ensure access to essential items. Avoid all large gatherings; heed security and traffic advisories.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of Pakistan COVID-19 Portal