A day after nearly 6,449 fresh cases of Covid-19 being reported in the country, the aviation regulator body Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued fresh guidelines on Wednesday, making wearing of masks mandatory in flights and at airports.
It also added that any passenger(s) refusing to to follow Covid-19 guidelines will be allowed by the airline to be deboarded or be treated as ‘unruly’.
In a circular issued on Wednesday, the DGCA announced that passengers will only be allowed to remove their face masks under exceptional circumstances and reasons, a move put into place given the rising Covid-19 cases across the country, coming in line with the Delhi High Court order.
Everything You Need to Know About DGCA’s Flying Guidelines
DGCAs’s guidelines released in the evening on Wednesday, directs airlines to make arrangements for extra face masks and provide them to passengers in case they do not have one.
The airlines have also been directed to ensure that in case any passenger does not adhere to the instructions about practicing appropriate Covid-19 rules even after repeated warnings, he/she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure.
“Airlines must ensure passengers wear masks properly in flight and they are removed under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons only.
The airlines shall ensure that passengers are sensitized on the precautionary measures to be taken by them through their websites, travel agents, call centres, display at airports, assistance booths at the airports, etc,” stated DGCA’s circular.
Citing the details regarding air travel instructions, the aviation regulator also informed that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or other police personnel will be deployed at the entry points of the airports, and will be given the responsibility to not let anyone enter the airport without a face mask.
“Airport operators must increase airport announcements and surveillance to ensure that passengers at the terminal wear face masks properly and follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all times within the premise,” it added.