Location: Countrywide
Event: Updated COVID-19 Information for Pakistan
Country-Specific Information:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the Travel Health Notice for Pakistan to Level 3 on March 23, 2020, because of widespread and ongoing transmission of COVID-19 within Pakistan. Upon arrival to the United States, passengers from Pakistan will be subject to CDC screening, health observation, and monitoring requirements. For additional questions, visit CDC’s COVID-19 Information for Travel page.
The Government of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of all international passenger, chartered, and private aircraft inbound flights to Pakistan. The suspension will be in effect from 8:00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time on March 21 to April 4, 2020. Land borders remain closed.
Some airlines, to include PIA and Qatar Airways, report partial restoration of flights from Pakistan. Interested passengers should contact airlines directly or work with their travel agents to explore options. Onward travel to the United States may be difficult as many carriers have reduced or eliminated routes.
The Islamabad Capital Territory and Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces announced varying degrees of lockdowns. Expect severe restrictions on all personal movements. Below is published information about provincial restrictions:
Islamabad Capital Territory: A 15-day shutdown of malls, restaurants, beauty parlors, salons, and housing offices began March 21. The order exempts most grocery and drug stores, gas stations, and auto mechanics. It also permits food delivery.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: All shopping malls, markets, and restaurants are closed and takeaway and deliveries are banned until March 29. The order exempts grocery stores, pharmacies, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stands, milk shops, gas stations, and some agricultural product suppliers.
Punjab: A government lockdown began March 24. This lockdown includes a shutdown of all mass transit and intercity bus service, a ban on gatherings, including all religious services except funerals, a prohibition on groups traveling together, and a ban on additional riders on motorcycles, except family members.
Sindh: No industry, except those related essential food items and medical and related items for domestic consumption, can operate. All personal movements are banned between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Only medical emergencies and staff responding to essential services are excepted. The order went into effect March 25 for 13 days.
As of March 17, the United States Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan have cancelled all routine consular services. We will resume routine services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The Embassy and Consulates will continue to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens on a case-by-case basis, including emergency U.S. passports. To schedule an emergency appointment, applicants must first contact the appropriate consular section by email to discuss the nature of their emergency. If the emergency appointment is approved, applicants will receive an email confirmation with further instructions.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
As international passenger, chartered, and private aircraft inbound flights to Pakistan have been suspended from March 21 to April 4, 2020, no entry requirements are in effect at this time.
Quarantine Information:
Any person showing symptoms of COVID-19 infection will be taken into quarantine at designated government medical facilities. While in quarantine, samples will be taken from potentially infected persons and submitted to a designated laboratory for analysis.
Local Resources
- Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination COVID-19 Health Advisory Platforms
- Government of Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination
- Pakistan National Institute of Health
- Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority
Other Links:
Actions to Take:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and updates.
- Seek medical care right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms) or were exposed to someone who may have COVID-19 in the last six weeks. For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Monitor flight availability. Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Pakistan.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
+(92)(51) 201-4000
U.S. Consulate General Karachi
+(92)(21) 3527 5000
ACSKarachi@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Lahore
+(92)(42) 3603 4000
U.S. Consulate Peshawar
+(92)(91) 526 8800
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
