ISLAMABAD: As the government increase the number of flights to bring back stranded Pakistanis from different parts of the world, it has made all necessary arrangements to test the incoming passengers and quarantine them for a week, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Spokesperson Abdul Sattar Khokhar told Arab News on Wednesday.

“When a flight lands at an airport, all passengers will be shifted to a quarantine facility and their swab test will be conducted. They will remain in the quarantine for a week and will have to undergo a second test after seven days,” he said

“Those who test negative the second time will be allowed to go home and asked to self-isolate for another seven days,” Khokhar continued. “All COVID-19 patients will be retained for medical treatment.”

Earlier, he said, only Islamabad airport was receiving incoming flights, resulting in a shortage of space to implement the strategy. With the increase in the number of airports receiving special flights, however, the authorities would be more cautious, he added.

“All those passengers who can afford hotel expenses will be shifted to hotel rooms. However, those who cannot afford them will be shifted to the government’s free quarantine facilities. The National Disaster Management Authority has already provided special safety training to the staff of selected hotels,” Khokhar informed.

He said that the country’s national airline, PIA, was operating special flights to bring back Pakistanis.

“We have also received a few FlyDubai flights that brought prisoners from the United Arab Emirates and SalamAir will also bring a few prisoners from Oman. All other flights for normal passengers will be operated by PIA,” he said.

Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security, announced on Tuesday after a National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting that the government had decided to bring back 6,000 Pakistanis every week from April 20.

“The government has now opened 6 airports for international arrivals and approx. 2000 stranded Pakistanis will be returning from 14th-18th April. We hope to start repatriating upwards of 6000 passengers weekly soon,” he said in a series of tweets.

The spokesperson for the national air carrier, Abdullah Hafeez, said that PIA had so far brought back nearly 1,800 Pakistanis by operating 11 flights during the COVID-19 crisis.

He told Arab News that the airline was taking all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by thoroughly disinfecting its aircrafts and providing necessary gear to its cabin, cockpit and ground staff.

“All passengers can contact the Pakistan Embassy in the countries they are stranded in or reach out to PIA Call Centers, PIA Booking Offices and the airline’s website to purchase tickets,” he said.