The United Kingdom announced on Wednesday (6 October) that Pakistanis visiting the country will be subjected to specific coronavirus safety measures while UK works to recognize the COVID immunization certificate issued by Pakistan.
Pakistan, along with several other countries, was removed from the red list and placed on the amber list on September 22, but the UK said in its most recent travel advisory that it was working with Pakistani authorities to recognize the vaccine certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Pakistan has been included in a new “rest of the world” list, and its vaccination certificates are no longer recognized in the United Kingdom.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms, and Special Initiatives Asad Umer said in a tweet, “Chinese vaccines are WHO approved. Health considerations or hangover of a colonial mindset?”
As England considers whether to recognize the NADRA-issued certificate, Pakistani travelers should be aware of the following guidelines:
- Within 72 hours of leaving, take a PCR test.
- On arrival, self-isolate for 10 days or test for release on day 5.
- Book PCR testing for day 2/8 and fill out a passenger locator form.
Pakistanis who are completely vaccinated will not have to self-isolate or do a pre-departure test once the UK authorities recognize NADRA’s vaccination certificate, though they will still have to complete a two-day test and fill out a passenger location form.
Vaccines recognized by the UK:
- Pfizer.
- Moderna.
- AstraZeneca.
- Johnson & Johnson.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved Sinopharm and Sinovac from China, but they have not been approved by the UK government and are not on the UK-approved list of vaccines.
