KARACHI: Upon continuous global uproar about spread of monkeypox virus, government has issued new guidelines to airports all across country, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions.

According to Border Health Services, guidelines are for strengthening screening and preventive measures at all entry points to ensure public health. Federal Investigation Agency, in light of newly devised protocols, has been given authority to stop issuance of visas on arrival to any foreign nationals unless they have passed health clearance focused on detecting symptoms of monkeypox so that no such carrier could enter country. FIA Immigration department has been directed to provide all information about arriving passengers to health authorities for monitoring and action. Regulating body, CAA, has also been directed to ensure implementation of all SOPs related to passengers and flights to guard against spread of monkeypox at airports. SOPs are to be followed verbatim by airlines, airport staff and ground handling agencies to ensure there is no laxity in implementation of safety precautions. Screening of passengers for monkeypox symptoms and their isolation, when required, will be managed by Border Health Services. Guidelines also made screening mandatory for all flight crews arriving in Pakistan from abroad.