Covid PCR tests: Pakistan issues list of labs for passengers coming from Gulf countries

If you're travelling to Pakistan from the UAE, the rules in place require you to obtain a negative coronavirus certificate from a laboratory approved by the government of Pakistan.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a notification containing directives for passengers arriving in Pakistan from the UAE and Bahrain. 

The CAA issued a list of 49 designated laboratories and healthcare operators for COVID-19 PCR tests for inbound passengers. The aviation control authority directed the airline operators flying into Pakistan to accept negative test certificates from only these designated laboratories across the UAE.

The Pakistani government took the decision after some passengers flying from the UAE tested positive on arrival at airports here. The decision will come into effect from Saturday, May 29.

Ten of the laboratories and healthcare operators are located in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, eight each in Dubai and Fujairah, while seven each in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Five of the specified healthcare facilities can be found in Ajman and four in Umm Al Quwain.