KARACHI: To prevent the spread of monkeypox at airports, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has issued new guidelines, directing all airlines, staff, and ground handling companies to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to flights and passengers.
As per the guidelines, the Border Health Services Department will be responsible for implementing passenger screening and isolation measures at airports, while the screening of all flight crews arriving in Pakistan from abroad has been declared mandatory.
Moreover, the Airports Security Force (ASF) will provide security at designated isolation areas at airports, while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration wing will be required to provide passenger details to health authorities and will not issue on-arrival visas to foreigners without health clearance.
The guidelines also mandate that all airlines provide masks to their passengers, and that planes be disinfected as part of preventive measures.
Customs clearance of passengers' luggage will require health authority approval, and border health officials, along with customs, are authorized to inspect imported goods.
Passengers arriving in Pakistan will be thermally screened at airports as part of these enhanced measures.