COVID-19 numbers climb, Pakistan requires masks for domestic flights

PAKISTAN: Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, the country’s aviation regulator has mandated the use of masks for all domestic flights, according to a statement.

After Karachi reported a COVID-19 positivity ratio of 21 per cent, compared to a national average of just 2.8 per cent, the federal government has issued an order for the city to undergo additional testing.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) issued a statement late on Sunday stating that masks will be necessary on domestic flights “with immediate effect” (Jun 26).

Recently, Pakistan has experienced only a handful of COVID-19 cases—and it no longer takes any safeguards.

As of Monday morning, there were 382 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan, including two deaths, according to data supplied by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH).

There were 79 positive cases and no deaths a month ago, putting the positivity rate at 0.54%. According to the National Institutes of Health, 85 percent of Pakistanis eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 have been immunized.

COVID-19 infections have fallen to their lowest level since the outbreak began in 2020, hence Pakistan deactivated the National Command and Operations Center on March 31.