UAE Suspends Flights From Pakistan Amidst Coronavirus Fears

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The UAE has suspended all flights arriving from Pakistan amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The decision by the General Civil Aviation Authority was effective as of Monday, according to a statement on state news agency Wam:

The decision comes after 26 passengers on a transit flight to Hong Kong via Dubai tested positive for the virus. A rise in coronavirus cases across Pakistan has overwhelmed some hospitals, leading them to turn away patients. Infections started to surge after Prime Minister Imran Khan lifted a lockdown, saying it was necessary to save the economy.

On Monday, health authorities announced 3,557 new Covid-19 cases and 49 deaths as a result of the virus, bringing the tally to 206,512 confirmed infections and 4,167 deaths.