ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has banned domestic air travel for unvaccinated people in an attempt to scale up COVID-19 vaccination drive.
According to a notification, all unvaccinated people aged 18 years and above will not be able to undertake air travel within Pakistan from September 10 onwards.
“In continuation to our letter of even number dated July 24, 2021, it has been decided by the Competent Authority that with effect from September 10, 2021, for Pakistani passengers of age 18 years and above, only fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to undertake domestic air travel within Pakistan,” said the notification.
“The concession for travel earlier granted to partially vaccinated Pakistani passengers is hereby withdrawn with effect from September 10, 2021,” it said.
Earlier this month, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) made the vaccine certificate mandatory for air travel as part of the government’s steps to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Many airlines including the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have started checking vaccination certificates of passengers on all flights before boarding in light of guidelines.
PIA had also warned its employees to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 13. In a circular issued by the administration of the PIA, all the employees have been asked to get the vaccine jabs latest by August 13 else Rs.300 per day will be charged against the PIA staff while Rs500 per day would be charged against the officers as a fine.
It was earlier decided that no unvaccinated citizens of 18-year age and above will be allowed to undertake domestic air travel from August 1. The restriction was for domestic air travel and people travelling to and from Pakistan were exempted,
However partially vaccinated individuals, foreign nationals, Pakistani nationals having documentary proof of vaccination abroad and patients who are clinically advised against vaccination due to risk of reaction are exempted from restriction. This exemption has now been withdrawn.
