Guys I just got this email and sharing here for everyone information.
You are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service.
Message from the High Commissioner, 5 May 2020
Update and Next Special Flights
Dear Canadians in Pakistan:
I wanted to provide an update on our work at the High Commission, COVID-19 loans processing, and provide information on special flights to Canada.
The last month has been a tremendously challenging time for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down, with new risks to health, to the economy, and to our ability to move about and travel freely. These restrictions, whether in Pakistan or Canada, are critical to slow the spread of the virus, and protect our families and our communities.
As of Monday, 4 May almost 4000 Canadians, their immediate family members and other eligible travellers (including Permanent Residents) have flown on 13 special flights operated by PIA specifically to repatriate Canadians. We have used the results of the three ‘webform’ surveys sent out in ROCA messages – to which we received 4138 responses – to inform the number of flights and departure cities.
Based on the information provided to us, as well as those that have contacted the High Commission directly, we assess there are still 1000 or so Canadians and other eligible travellers in Pakistan looking to return to Canada.
I know that for some, the cost of these flights has been significant, particularly as it is not possible to use existing commercial tickets. To assist Canadians who have no available source of funds to return home, the Government of Canada established an emergency repayable COVID-19 Loan
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help program.
As of 4 May, the High Commission has received over 900 loan applications. This, as you can imagine, has created significant processing challenges – particularly as we have been working concurrently to support access to the special flights, including for vulnerable Canadians.
While the dedicated Consular officers here and in Ottawa are making progress on the volume of applications, we still have over 400 files in process. Each applicant will be contacted with further instructions, and I would ask you to respond as swiftly as possible.
And if I may, please avoid sending multiple messages via email or social media, as these will only slow our processing time down further. I recognize that the delay can be frustrating, so my thanks for your patience and resilience as you wait for your file to be processed.
Next Special Flights to Canada
So for the good news!
The next PIA direct special flights to Canada will take place on:
Saturday, 9 May: Lahore to Toronto
Tuesday, 12 May: Karachi to Toronto
If you have the means to purchase tickets directly, these flights will be open for booking as of Wednesday, 6 May. You do not need to be on a special list from the High Commission in order to purchase your ticket.
However, if you have applied for a COVID-19 Loan:
From Karachi: our objective is to complete existing files in time for the 12 May flight. Once you have been contacted and are assessed to be eligible, please get your documents to us as quickly as possible!
For applicants from Lahore and Islamabad: we have arranged a special flight from Lahore later next week (targeting Thursday, 14 May) to accommodate as many loan recipients as possible. Further details will follow later in the week, but this flight is not open for general ticketing at this time.
And a word of caution: there have been recent cases of passengers denied boarding on special flights due to their ineligibility to enter Canada, or as a result of missing documentation to meet Government of Pakistan regulations to depart. Please consult the following link carefully to determine if a traveller is eligible to enter Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html#can_enter
Also, the requirements for self-isolation and other emergency measures on arrival in Canada are at the following link with information on arrival in Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html. Bring a face mask to wear on the aircraft!
Canadians remaining in Pakistan
Although the High Commission team and our colleagues in Ottawa are working hard to support Canadians in Pakistan to return home, many Canadians may need to remain outside of Canada for an indeterminate period. Please consult the Government of Canada travel advice found at Safety and Security outside Canada
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/covid-19-security .
The Canadian High Commission staff and consular team remain hard at work, and available to assist in the event of an emergency. However, we are restricting access to the High Commission in order to support ‘physical distancing’. Please contact us before visiting, and consult the Canadian High Commission to Pakistan website
https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/pakistan/index.aspx?lang=eng for information on available essential services.
Please contact us at
[email protected] or by telephone at +92 (0)51 208-6000. If our office is closed, the call will be transferred to the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, which operates 24/7. You can also email
[email protected].
As a last word, please continue to follow the instructions of local authorities, practice physical distancing – both in Pakistan and on return to Canada – and stay safe and stay healthy.
Wendy Gilmour
High Commissioner of Canada in Pakistan