New Covid restrictions leave Pakistanis stranded at Istanbul Airport

The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that it was in contact with the Pakistanis who were left stranded at the Istanbul Airport due to the new coronavirus restrictions in place since yesterday.

As per Turkey’s new coronavirus restrictions, passengers flying in from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have to undergo a 14 days quarantine period at locations decided by the government of Turkey.

Pakistanis, who had already traveled to Turkey a day before the coronavirus rules were announced, were left stranded at the airport.

“Pakistani passengers had begun their travel before the new rules and regulations were announced,” said the FO spokesperson, adding that the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara and Consul General in Istanbul was in contact with the Pakistanis.

At Pakistan’s special request, Turkish authorities have decided to waive the new coronavirus regulations for Pakistanis who traveled to Turkey on June 1 for some time, said the FO spokesperson.

He clarified that passengers who were stranded at the Istanbul Airport will be allowed to enter Turkey after COVID-19 testing.

The FO spokesperson said a team of the Pakistani consulate general was present at the Istanbul Airport to facilitate the Pakistanis there.

As per the new rules, passengers who visited the countries mentioned earlier during the last 14 days will also be requested to submit a negative result of the PCR test conducted a maximum of 72 hours before entering Turkey.

Meanwhile, passengers from the UK, Iran, Egypt, and Singapore will only be required to submit a negative PCR result 72 hours before entering Turkey.