New Delhi (NVI): In wake of the rising covid cases in India, the Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA) issued guidelines to facilitate the vaccination drive in a fast and efficient manner to ensure the timely inoculation of the aviation community.
As per the guidelines, Airport Operators have been advised to establish a dedicated vaccination facility in their respective airports to facilitate expeditious vaccination for the personnel involved in aviation or related services (including the contractual, casual, etc.)
They have been asked to immediately contact the state governments and private service providers (hospitals), who are willing to set up Covid Vaccination centres at Airports.
“Required facilities like setting up of vaccination counters, segregated waiting area (pre as well as post-vaccination) are to be established by the Airport Operators. Basic facilities for the personnel visiting (help desk, drinking water, ventilation fans, washrooms, etc.) to be arranged following COVID safety protocols,” the statement read.
The cost per vaccination dose can be decided by the Airport Operator with the service provider. These facilities would be available for all aviation sector stakeholders at the same cost.
It further states that all agencies working in the airports eco-system need to sponsor their personnel to avail the facilities as operators/service providers would not be dealing with individual cases.
“Smaller airports (where the numbers to get vaccinated are less and private players do not find it viable), the Airport Operators can approach the District and local administration for extending the vaccination program. The facilities created by Airport Operator would be available for all the Civil Aviation Personnel in the first phase and can be extended to the family members subsequently,” the ministry said in a statement.
The guidelines also suggest that the priority should be made to cover the ATC, the crew of airlines (both cockpit and cabin), mission-critical and passenger facing staff on priority. All Airport Operators have been advised to designate a nodal officer (an alternative nodal officer may also be kept in readiness) for coordinating the efforts.
“Chairman, AAI will hold regular meetings to review the progress and coordinate with the Ministry and DGCA to address issues and challenges. If there is an issue of vaccine availability Ministry would take up at the appropriate level for smooth supply, ” it said.
The order further mentioned that considering any impending local situation, suggested guidelines may be contextualized and improved but all safety protocols and instructions issued by MoHFW, State Government Concerned or MoCA, related to COVID 19 must be followed.
