ISLAMABAD: In light of the rising cases of new Covid-19 variant emerging from South Africa, Pakistan on Sunday imposed travel restrictions on as many as six African countries and Hongkong under safety preemptive measures.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in a statement said consequent to the emergence of Omicron Covid variant in South Africa and its spread to adjoining regions, “a complete ban has been imposed on direct/indirect inbound travel” from South Africa, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana “with immediate effect”.

However, Pakistani passengers travelling from these countries “on extreme emergency” will only be allowed after obtaining exemptions, the NCOC said.

The passengers will have to follow health/testing protocols, including vaccination certificate, negative PCR report (maximum 72 hours old) before boarding and RAT (rapid antigen test) on arrival at airport.

But to “facilitate stranded Pakistanis, travel from these countries till December 5 will be allowed without exemption(s), though the above-mentioned health and testing protocols will remain applicable”, it said.

The NCOC also directed the Aviation Division, airport management, and the Airport Security Force to devise a mechanism for screening passengers travelling from the seven countries via indirect flights and share its details with all relevant departments by November 29.