Umrah travel rules tightened from September 14

Digital vaccination certificates for polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza will initially be mandatory only for Umrah pilgrims travelling from Karachi airport, health authorities have said.

Speaking about the new requirements, Federal Airport Health Department and Border Health Services focal person Dr Syed Murtaza Shah Bukhari said passengers travelling from Karachi to perform Umrah would not be allowed to travel without a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) digital vaccination certificate after September 14.

He said the Federal Government Civil Dispensary had been designated as the only authorised centre for vaccination and issuance of the required certificates.

According to Dr Bukhari, the vaccination requirement would initially apply to Umrah pilgrims and passengers travelling to certain countries. The requirement would later be extended to Hajj pilgrims as well.

He said international travellers departing from Karachi would be subject to the new restriction from September 14, while similar measures would subsequently be introduced at airports in Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore.

Dr Bukhari advised Umrah pilgrims to obtain their vaccination certificates from an authorised NADRA vaccination centre before travelling to avoid difficulties at the airport.

He further said yellow fever vaccination would be compulsory for passengers arriving from Africa, Central America and South America. The requirement would also apply to travellers who have spent 10 hours or more in transit in countries or regions where yellow fever vaccination is required.

Passengers aged one year or older entering Pakistan from affected regions will be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Dr Bukhari advised passengers who do not have the required certificate to reach the airport at least six hours before their scheduled departure. Health counters are being arranged at the departure area of Karachi airport to facilitate vaccination services.

He added that awareness notices had been issued to station managers of all airlines and travel agents. Airlines and travel agencies would be responsible for informing passengers about the vaccination requirements and would not issue boarding passes to travellers who fail to meet the mandatory vaccination requirements.