Heena Sharma Blog

  Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday told airports to consider imposing spot fines, with the help of police authorities, on passengers who are not wearing masks properly and maintaining social distance as per the COVID-19 rules . On March 13, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked airlines to de-board passengers who do not wear masks "properly" despite repeated warnings, and take action against them as per rules. In a circular on Tuesday, the regulator said, "During the surveillance of some airports, it has come to notice that compliance (of COVID-19 protocols) is not satisfactory." "All airport operators, therefore, are requested to ensure that the instructions on COVID-19 protocol from the standpoint of wearing face mask properly, covering nose and mouth, as well as maintaining social distance norms within the airport premises are followed scrupulously," it said. Accordingly, all airport operators can increase surveillance i

The Central Industrial Security Force , which guards 63 Indian airports, has recommended staggered flight schedules and closure of check-in counters two hours prior to departure to avoid crowding and maintaining social distancing. These suggestions are part of business continuity plan submitted by the CISF to the civil aviation ministry. Domestic and international flights are suspended till April 14 as part of a nationwide lockdown. Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said restrictions will be lifted once government is confident that spread of virus is controlled and it poses no danger to citizens. While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will it make mandatory for airlines to keep all middle seats in aircraft vacant, CISF has made its own recommendations to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Read More