ISLAMABAD: In the wake of new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, Pakistan has placed seven countries under travel ban on Saturday. The notification was issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, who is also heading the NCOC, tweeted on Saturday that six South African countries and Hong Kong had been put on the list of countries to and from where travel was restricted.
He said that “it was even more urgent” to get vaccinated. The list of the six South African countries comprise South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana.
The NCOC has made it clear that travel from the banned countries will only be allowed in emergency situations. And even then, the travellers will have to abide by all the mandatory NCOC guidelines to travel to Pakistan.
The new variant first discovered and reported by South Africa has sent a wave of fear among the general public and governments of several countries that have started taking preemptive measures to make sure that any potential outbreak is avoided.
