New Delhi (NVI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (GCA) today warned passengers who do not wear masks properly inside an aircraft even after repeated warnings would be de-boarded.
In a fresh circular issued for ‘Strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols during air travel’, the DGCA said that it has been noticed that some travellers do not adhere to Covid-19 protocols which involve wearing of mask properly during the journey from entering the airport for departure to exiting the airport after arrival.
The guidelines asked passengers to wear masks and maintain social distancing norms at all times during air travel.
“On board the aircraft, in case any passenger does not adhere to wearing of mask properly even after repeated warnings, he/she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure,” the circular read.
It added, “In case any passenger on board an aircraft refuses to wear a mask or violates the “Covid-19 protocol for passengers” even after repeated warnings, during the course of the flight, such passenger may be treated as an unruly passenger and the procedure in respect of handling such unruly passenger, as provided in the above-mentioned CAR, shall be followed by the concerned airline.”
“The airport director/terminal manager, as applicable, must ensure that passengers are wearing masks properly and do maintain social distance at all times within the airport premises. In case any passenger is not following the “Covid-19 protocol”, they should be handed over to security agencies after proper warnings. If required, they may be dealt as per law,” DGCA said.
The DGCA also said that the CISF or other police personnel deployed at the entrance of the airport shall ensure that no one is allowed to enter the airport without wearing a mask.
-CHK
