Upon the continuous global uproar about the spread of the monkeypox virus, the government has issued new guidelines to airports all across the country, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions.
According to the Border Health Services, the guidelines are for strengthening screening and preventive measures at all entry points to ensure public health.
Federal Investigation Agency, in the light of newly devised protocols, has been given the authority to stop the issuance of visas on arrival to any foreign nationals unless they have passed the health clearance focused on detecting symptoms of monkeypox so that no such carrier could enter the country.
The FIA Immigration department has been directed to provide all information about arriving passengers to the health authorities for monitoring and action.
The regulating body, CAA, has also been directed to ensure the implementation of all SOPs related to passengers and flights to guard against the spread of monkeypox at the airports.
The aforementioned SOPs are to be followed verbatim by airlines, airport staff, and ground handling agencies to ensure there is no laxity in the implementation of safety precautions.
The screening of passengers for monkeypox symptoms and their isolation, when required, will be managed by the Border Health Services. The guidelines also made screening mandatory for all flight crews arriving in Pakistan from abroad.
