Air
travellers not following Covid-19 protocol while travelling will be treated as
'unruly passenger' and strict action would follow as per provisions of the
aircraft rules, a new circular issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) on Saturday said.
The new circular follows numerous complaints of laxity seen at airports by
travellers in following Covid-19 protocols laid to prevent transmission of the
virus and ensure safety in air travel.
The new circular states that in case a passenger does not wear masks properly
even after repeated warnings, he/she could be deboarded before departure. In
case people not following Covid-appropriate behaviour or not wearing masks
despite repeated warnings is found while flying, such passenger would be treated
as "unruly" and action would be taken against them by the concerned
airline.
DGCA has said that passengers should always, during their time on flights and
inside the airport premises, wear masks and practise social distancing. It
added that CISF or other police personnel will be deployed at the entrance to
ensure that no one is allowed to enter the Airport without wearing a mask.
The circular has further stated that the airport director or terminal manager
should ensure that all passengers are wearing masks and following social
distancing norms, failing which they would be either handed over to the
security agencies after proper warning for action as per law.
The strict adherence to Covid-19 protocol had been mentioned in the new
circular in wake of increase in number of cases of violations where passengers
after entering the airport as well as while on-board the aircraft are not
wearing a mask or wearing it improperly.
The circular has said that the mask should not be moved "below the nose
except under exceptional circumstances".