DUBAI: Pakistanis in Dubai have been left in limbo because of a new injunction by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that all international travelers need a certificate that they have been tested for the novel coronavirus infection in order to be allowed to board a flight to Pakistan.

The mandatory requirement comes into effect from March 21, and has been communicated to all airlines. Travelers are required to have their tests done 24 hours prior to their flights to Pakistan.

The Pakistani Consulate in Dubai declined comment for this article. The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has crossed 250, according to health officials.

“I am due to travel by the end of the month and this rule has left me confused,” Dubai resident Iram Khan, who hails from Pakistan, said. “None of us in the family have any symptoms so how will we be tested? How will we get a certificate?”

Arab News called the helplines of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Both said patients could only be tested if they showed symptoms of the infection as confirmed by a doctor.

“Only those who have any symptoms of the disease and present themselves at the emergency wards at the hospital where doctors decide if they meet the criteria that ensures that they be tested,” a helpline assistant told Arab News. “We do not offer any tests at the moment for people who do not show any symptoms.”

All coronavirus tests done in the UAE are free of cost.

“The Pakistan government should take this decision back because it is illogical,” said Saima Nadeem, a Dubai-based housewife from Pakistan. “Also if a person is normal then no one is being tested. How can someone prove oneself negative in such a case?”

Ayesha Shafeeq, who has plans to travel to Islamabad on March 21, said: “This new rule has come as a surprise. The test results take at least 48 hours, that is if I am able to get the test done. If this decision is not taken back, it is likely that I will have to cancel my decision to travel. This is not a very helpful situation or decision taken by the Pakistan government.”

Fareed Shaikh, a marketing manager in Dubai said, “This rule means that the Pakistan government is denying entry to its own citizens on the basis of health?”

A circular issued by Pakistan CAA to all airlines on March 17 said:

“With effect from Saturday, March 21, all international arriving passengers to Pakistan Airports shall be required to provide a copy of test result for COVID-19 through RT-PCR conducted during the 24-hours prior to boarding the flight by passenger. It shall be the responsibility of the airline operators to ensure that no passengers are allowed to board an aircraft without the said result.”