International flights to resume from Sunday

islamabad — The government on Friday announced the resumption of international flight operations at all airports in the country from August 9 as a part of lifting coronavirus-triggered restrictions.

A NOTAM (notice to airmen) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that operations will resume from August 9,

reported.

The decision was taken a day after the government announced the lifting of several restrictions in light of reducing virus infection cases.

“The government of Pakistan is pleased to allow all international passenger operations to/ from all airports as available preCovid-19.

“International scheduled flight operations to/from Pakistan will revert to authorisations as per summer-20 scheduling season. However, international flight operations shall be conducted in accordance with established guidelines and applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday was informed that a complete code of conduct had been prepared to ensure social distancing, face masks wearing and standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance ahead of Independence Day and Muharram occasions.

The NCOC session was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar. The forum deliberated on measures to contain the virus following opening up of various sectors and the upcoming events of Independence Day and Muharram.

Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar said that all sectors of economy would strictly follow health guidelines following their opening. The coronavirus threat was still there and if health protocols were not followed there was a possibility that infections could rise again, the minister added.

“The people of Pakistan have shown great patience and compliance to health guidelines. If the same spirit is followed till Muharram it will help mitigate health challenges,” he added.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 claimed two more lives in Punjab in the last 24 hours, while the number of coronavirus cases reached 94,040 after registration of 192 new cases.

The countrywide tally of Covid-19 cases stood at 283,132 with 94,040 cases reported from Punjab, 123,246 from Sindh, 34,432 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11,821 from Balochistan, 2,287 from Gilgit Baltistan, 15182 from Islamabad and 2,124 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. —

International flight operations shall be conducted in accordance with established guidelines and applicable standard operating procedures CAA NOTAM