Health Alert – U. S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan (April 8, 2020)
Location: Pakistan (country-wide)
Event: Update #16 – Important Information regarding U.S. Government-arranged flights from Karachi and Islamabad
As of 11:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time, April 8, the U.S. Mission to Pakistan continues to directly contact U.S. citizens regarding the U.S. government-arranged flights from Karachi and Islamabad scheduled for this weekend as announced in our April 5 Health Alert Update #10. If you are not prepared or able to return to the United States on the upcoming charter flights, please do not complete an interest form.
Continue to monitor your phone and be prepared to answer when we first call. We must speak to you directly to confirm details.
Note that we will likely not have any flight options after these charters, so if you want to return home to the United States, this may be your last opportunity to do so. If you decline returning on these flights, prepare to remain in Pakistan until international flights resume.
UPDATED information about the flights:
- The flights are chartered by the U.S. government to return U.S. citizens to the United States. Pakistan airspace remains closed.
- Baggage allowance is strict. Each passenger occupying a seat is allowed two checked bags. The total combined weight of the two checked baggage cannot exceed 30 kg (for example, one 30 kg bag or two bags each weighing 15 kg each.) Passengers may also bring one carry-on item up to 7 kg. Overweight or excess luggage will not be permitted.
- Travelers are required to sign an “Evacuee Manifest and Promissory Note” which will be provided once we confirm your seat. By completing and signing this form, the traveler is agreeing to be added to the official flight manifest as well as agreeing to reimburse the U.S. government for costs associated with the flight.
Cost would be approximately $1000 from Karachi and $1450 from Islamabad per person. The price is not negotiable.
- Business class is not available for purchase. Any business class seats will be allocated based on medical need, and families may be split up between business and economy seating.
- All flights will stop in Cairo for re-fueling.
- Travelers must make their own way to either Karachi or Islamabad airport.
- The Marriot Islamabad Hotel has agreed – on a space available basis – to offer a discounted rate the night before the Islamabad flights. Travelers would pay the hotel directly. Details for booking the discounted rate will be provided in the confirmation emails.
- Upon arrival at Washington Dulles (IAD) travelers are responsible for their onward travel.
- The U.S. government does not have any future flights planned from Pakistan at this moment.
- Do not continue to resubmit the interest form. We are working on contacting passengers, and duplicative submissions slow down the process. If we need information from you, we will contact you.
We will continue to contact travelers until every seat is occupied. Once the seats are full, a message will be released to notify everyone that expressed interest.
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.
- Review the CDC’s latest recommendations to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Monitor flight availability.
- 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.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
+(92)(51) 201-4000
ACSIslamabad@state.gov
https://pk.usembassy.gov
U.S. Consulate General Karachi
+(92)(21) 3527 5000
ACSKarachi@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Lahore
+(92)(42) 3603 4000
ACSLahore@state.gov
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
