ISLAMABAD: Authorities have extended the deadline for Umrah pilgrims to obtain a vaccination certificate from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) until September 25, providing relief to thousands of travellers preparing to visit Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement issued by Border Health Services on Monday, Umrah pilgrims will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia without a Nadra vaccination certificate until the new deadline.
The vaccination requirements cover polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza.
Deadline extended after vaccination difficulties
The decision came after Umrah pilgrims faced difficulties obtaining the required certificates because only one vaccination centre had been established for international travellers at the Federal Civil Dispensary near the old terminal of Jinnah International Airport.
The government had previously set September 14 as the deadline for pilgrims to obtain their Nadra vaccination certificates.
The Ministry of Health has advised travellers planning to go abroad to apply for vaccination at least 10 days before their scheduled departure.
Travellers are required to register through Nadra’s Pak ID application or at Nadra e-Sahulat centres to obtain the necessary vaccination documentation.
Authorities said the government has digitised the vaccination process by linking vaccination records with Nadra in an effort to prevent forgery and improve verification.
Saudi Arabia Launches One-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa for Pilgrims
Requirements to be expanded to other airports
The vaccination certificate requirement was initially introduced for passengers travelling from Karachi, with authorities planning to extend the restrictions to airports in Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore.
Dr Murtaza Bukhari said the Federal Government Civil Dispensary was the only authorised centre for administering the required vaccinations and issuing the relevant documentation.
Pilgrims have been advised to obtain their vaccination certificates from an authorised Nadra vaccination centre before travelling.
A government focal person had also said that vaccination would eventually become mandatory for Hajj pilgrims, in line with requirements being introduced for Umrah travellers and passengers travelling to certain countries.
Meanwhile, travellers arriving from Africa, Central America and South America are required to possess a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
The extension of the deadline to September 25 is expected to give Umrah pilgrims additional time to complete the vaccination and certification process before the requirement is fully enforced.
