No entry for passengers sans masks at airports, says DGCA

No entry for passengers sans masks at airports, says DGCA

Directs To Deboard Flyers For Not Wearing Mask Properly

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:14.03.2021 

India’s aviation regulator on Saturday directed security agencies not to allow airport entry to passengers without masks. Passengers refusing to wear masks properly before takeoff will now be deboarded before departure, and those not masking properly as per norms on flights despite repeated warnings will now be treated as “unruly passengers”. Once classified as unruly, a person can be barred from flying for anywhere up to a lifetime, depending on the gravity of the violation of safety norms.

“In case, any passenger is not following Covid-19 protocol, they should be handed over to security agencies after proper warnings. If required, they may be dealt as per law,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday said in an order to all airlines, airport operators and security agencies to ensure “strict compliance of Covid-19 protocol during air travel.”

The order came after a high court judge observed blatant violation of Covid-19 norms by passengers on a domestic flight recently, and directed DGCA to issue orders for the strict compliance of pandemic-time rules by all travellers.

The regulator said some flyers aren’t adhering to Covid-19 protocols, which essentially involves masking properly — not below the nose and during all times of the journey from entering the airport for departure to exiting the airport after arrival. “…some passengers after entering the airport do not wear mask properly or maintain social distance within the premises. Similarly, some passengers have been noticed not wearing their masks properly while on-board the aircraft,” the order stated.

The DGCA order directed airlines, airport operators and CISF to ensure that passengers wear masks and maintain social distancing norms at all times during air travel. “The mask shall not be moved below the nose except under exceptional circumstances. CISF or other police personnel deployed at the airport entrance shall ensure that none is allowed to enter the airport without a mask,” the order stated.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL: The DGCA order directed airlines, airport operators and CISF to ensure that passengers wear masks and maintain social distancing norms at all times during air travel